In the context of various demands of Palli Bidyut Samity, the blackout phase of electricity is going on in Kendua upazila of Netrokona like the rest of the country.
According to local sources, the blackout has been going on in every union including Kendua municipality of the upazila since yesterday morning. As a result, public suffering, including government and private offices, courts, has reached its peak.
According to a press release of protesters of Palli Bidyut Samity, the movement has been going on for a long time demanding the merger of Rural Electrification Board (REB) and Palli Bidyut Samity, implementation of uniform service rules and permanency of contractual/irregular recruits. In this context, a nine-member committee was formed on August 1, but due to direct non-cooperation of REB, they failed to show the way to an effective solution.
The press release also said that although memorandums were submitted to the Chief Adviser several times by suspending various programs considering the public sufferings through the appropriate authorities with public signatures, it wwas not implemted. Besides, false and harassing cases were filed, some people were arrested, 20 officials were permanently dismissed and some officials were transferred.
In addition, the press release threatened to complete shutdown and Dhaka-bound long march with an ultimatum to meet their logical demands, including the removal of the chairman of the REB within the next 12 hours, for not playing a role in the movement and misrepresenting wrong information and misusing the army.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imdadul Haque Talukder said, "I have heard that the Palli Bidyut Samity has called a strike and given a 12-hour ultimatum to meet their demands. It is a matter of decision at the highest level of the government. But hopefully it will be resolved soon."
ZH
