Tensions escalated in Noida as hundreds of farmers and residents staged a protest demanding electricity connections in colonies located in the floodplain (doob) area. Under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, protesters held a panchayat before marching toward the PVVNL Chief Engineer’s office in Sector 16.
The demonstrators claim that despite living in the area for years, they have been denied formal electricity connections.
“Electricity Is Our Right,” Say Protesters
Raising slogans such as “Electricity is our right” and “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” farmers surrounded the electricity department office and began an indefinite sit-in. The protest will continue for at least 15 days during daytime, with warnings of a round-the-clock agitation if demands remain unmet.
Bharatiya Kisan Parishad National President Sukhbir Khalifa alleged that residents are being deprived of their basic rights and claimed there is exploitation in the name of providing temporary electricity supply in the floodplain area.
Previous Talks Yielded No Timeline
This is not the first protest on the issue. Earlier demonstrations led to discussions with senior police officials and electricity department authorities. Officials reportedly assured that a proposal to provide electricity in the floodplain area had been forwarded to the state government for approval.
However, protesters say no clear timeline has been given, and the matter remains pending at the government level.
Traffic Hit as Protesters March to Office
The protest march from Sector 5’s Harola area to Sector 16 caused traffic disruption for nearly one-and-a-half hours. Police and PAC personnel were deployed to manage the situation and divert vehicles.
Authorities maintained a heavy security presence to prevent escalation.
Deadline Expired, Protest Intensified
According to farmer leaders, a community meeting had earlier set a deadline for authorities to resolve the issue. With no formal approval granted, residents began the sit-in as previously announced.
Protest leaders have warned that the agitation will intensify if electricity connections are not sanctioned soon
