SHILLONG, May 11: The power crisis gripping the plain-belt region of Garo Hills has reached breaking point, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) warning the Meghalaya government of a possible public agitation outside the Power Minister’s residence if immediate action is not taken to end the relentless outages.
Despite repeated communications to the government, several rural areas continue to reel under prolonged power cuts, with blackouts reportedly lasting up to six days. The silence of the state machinery in the face of escalating public distress has triggered outrage, particularly in the Rajabala constituency.
“I am receiving numerous calls and the situation instead of improving has deteriorated further and such scorching heat is on and people are suffering from heat wave,” said TMC MLA from Rajabala, Mizanur Rahman Kazi on Sunday, lashing out at the state’s indifference. “People are on the verge of agitating. I am not able to persuade them and if the situation does not improve, the people will not have to resort to agitation and holding a Dharna in front of the power minister house,” he added, hinting at a serious public backlash if the crisis is not resolved immediately.
Kazi, who has been in constant touch with the district administration, revealed that he had even reached out to the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MePDCL. “I also called the Deputy Commissioner to apprise them to initiate procedural inquiry against the company or whoever is responsible for this so that normalcy restores within no time,” he stated.
The public anger was also formally expressed through a letter submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills by residents of the affected areas from Magurmari to Gomaijhora — demanding immediate intervention against FEDCO, the power distribution agency in charge.
In the letter, residents accused FEDCO of gross negligence and unaccountability. “Students are unable to study due to blackouts, industries have shut down, and residents are falling sick due to the unbearable heat,” it said, highlighting the sweeping impact on education, livelihoods, and health.
Total blackouts have left entire villages in darkness and insecurity. The letter also pointed to the failure of FEDCO officials and linemen to respond to consumer complaints, calling for direct action and a formal inquiry into the company’s mismanagement.
