Bhapur: Tension flared at Mangalpur village in Nayagarh district over the erratic power supply in the area. Taking umbrage at the perceived apathy of electricity department officials, youths of the village Tuesday assaulted an engineer inside Bhapur CESU office and subsequently held him captive in the village.
The engineer was identified as Laxmidhar Mishra.
According to sources, there was a power failure in the village for the last few weeks in Mangalpur village that falls under Bhapur electricity section. Villagers brought the matter to the notice of the electricity department officials several times but in vain. The officials turned a deaf ear to the plight of the villagers, they alleged.
After failing to get things moving, more than 20-25 youths on 11 motorbikes reached the block CESU office Tuesday. They allegedly barged into the office and confronted Mishra about the power cut. A heated argument soon turned into a clash inside the office. In a fit of rage, the youths ransacked the office and assaulted Mishra. They later dragged him and took him to the village on their bikes and held him captive in the village.
On being alerted, local police reached the village and tried to rescue Mishra. However, agitated villagers demanded immediate action and refused to free Mishra.
Later, Fategarh IIC Sudhakar Sahu reached the village and brought the situation under control. He pacified the mob and held a discussion regarding the matter. He promised measures in the regard after which the agitators relented and allowed Mishra to leave. PNN
