Patiala cops allegedly switch off village transformer, CCTV captures act

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Patiala, August 10

Residents of Naugaon village in Patiala district have alleged that two police personnel switched off the village transformer while responding to a reported dispute involving street vendors, leaving the entire village without electricity.

The alleged incident took place the night before last, when police received a call about a quarrel involving street vendors in Naugaon village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Balbera police post.

According to the villagers, two police personnel reached the village after receiving the complaint, but neither found the caller nor any dispute at the spot.

The residents alleged that the police personnel subsequently switched off the power supply from the village transformer. The resulting power cut reportedly left villagers struggling with the heat and mosquitoes.

CCTV footage from the area allegedly captured the police personnel switching off the transformer. The footage was checked the following morning, after which residents reportedly identified the men as police personnel.

Patiala Rural DSP Ranbir Singh said the personnel had switched off the transformer to cut off electricity to the street vendors, but were unaware that the same transformer supplied power to the entire village.

“The police personnel had switched off the transformer to stop the supply going to the street vendors. They did not know that the same transformer was supplying electricity to the entire village,” Singh said.

He said he was seeking a detailed report from the concerned Station House Officer.

“I am taking complete information about the matter from the concerned SHO. If any police personnel is found guilty, appropriate action will be taken against them,” the DSP said.

The incident has drawn criticism from villagers, who questioned how the police personnel handled the situation. The CCTV footage and the allegations have also prompted police authorities to look into the matter.