Visakhapatnam: Tribal communities in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalli district have intensified their protests against the Electricity department, accusing it of unjustly disconnecting their power connections even though state government has promised them free electricity.
On Thursday night, residents of Z. Jogampeta, Losingi, Pedagaruvu, and other villages staged torchlight (kagada) demonstrations, raising slogans against what they described as intimidatory tactics of authorities.
There are around 60 families of Konda Dora tribal community living in Z. Jogampeta of Cheemalapadu panchayat. They say as per a government scheme, SC and ST households should be provided 200 units of free electricity per household per month. Villagers say their consumption is well below this limit. Yet they have been billed exorbitant amounts.
For example, Kota Rajababu, whose average usage is 39 units, received a bill of ₹9,845. Similar inflated bills have been received by about 40 other families, sparking widespread anger.
Electricity officials have warned that unless the electricity dues are cleared, power supply will not be restored. Families are using flashlights to cook and endure sleepless nights plagued by mosquitoes.
Similar disconnections have been reported in P. Kotnabilli, Dolavanipalem, and Kalyan Lava. Villagers are pleading with officials, offering to pay `200 per month or clear dues in instalments. But officials have rejected their appeals.
Following this, tribal and Dalit families have intensified their protests with torchlights across villages like Z. Bennavaram, Kalyan Lava, Pathapatnam, Billi, and Dolavanipalem. Community leaders, including P. Chandraiah of the Girijana Sangham and CPM leader K. Govinda Rao, have demanded immediate restoration of electricity. They warn that if the government fails to act, their demonstrations will be intensified.
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