All rural electrification lines in Netrokona were shut down on Thursday startitrng at 9am, affecting 10 upazilas across the district.
The sudden disconnection by Rural Electrification Board (REB) employees has left thousands of consumers in severe distress.
According to sources at the Netrokona Rural Electrification office, the shutdown is linked to ongoing protests demanding the implementation of unified job regulations, the integration of REB and rural electricity boards, and the permanent employment of contract and irregular staff.
In connection with the protests, cases were filed against 10 officials, and four of them, including AGM Monir Hossain from Barhatta upazila, were arrested on Thursday morning. The power service was halted immediately after the arrests.
Jewel Mia, a resident of Atharobari village in Kendua municipality, expressed his frustration: “Regardless of their demands, shutting off electricity without prior notice was completely unjust. We, the consumers, are now suffering immensely.”
Masum Ahmed, General Manager of Netrokona Rural Electrification Board, said: “The shutdown is due to unmet demands of the staff. This morning, the AGM of the Barhatta office was wrongfully arrested. The district commissioner has called us for a meeting, and we will make a decision afterward.”
Barhatta Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Kamrul Hasan clarified: “The police did not arrest the AGM. The army detained him around 8:45am and brought him to the station, but he was released shortly after.”
District Commissioner Banani Biswas stated: “Netrokona is experiencing a complete power shutdown. We are holding discussions with the rural electrification officials, and we hope to reach a positive resolution soon.”
The situation is yet to be resolved.
