A heated protest broke out at the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board (MPEB) office in Eintkhedi after power connections to around 35 houses were disconnected due to unpaid electricity bills. Women from Parvakheda Chand Masjid area, accompanied by their children, surrounded the office on Monday afternoon, demanding the restoration of power supply.

The women claimed their homes had been in darkness for days due to the disconnection. They raised slogans against the electricity department, alleging negligence and lack of responsiveness from officials.

Junior Engineer (JE) Shishir Sharma of the Eintkhedi Circle clarified that the disconnection was due to non-payment of electricity bills. "The bills of about 35 houses in the area are pending, with each household owing between ?7,000 and ?8,000. The power supply will be resumed only after the bills are cleared and the faulty transformer is repaired," he stated.

The transformer reportedly failed on Sunday evening, disrupting power supply to the affected homes. JE Sharma emphasized that the department had informed the residents about the pending bills and necessary repairs. He also defended the department's position, stating, "This is not the proper way to address grievances. The system requires cooperation from the consumers."

The women accused the officials of ignoring their calls and failing to address the issue promptly. They argued that the lack of electricity had brought daily life to a standstill, impacting essential activities and causing significant inconvenience.

The protest prompted swift action from the electricity department, with officials arriving on the scene to pacify the agitated crowd and explain the situation. However, they reiterated that the restoration of electricity would only be possible after the dues were cleared.

The women continued to demand immediate action, citing the urgency of the situation and the hardship faced by their families.

The MPEB officials have assured the residents of resolving the issue at the earliest, provided the outstanding bills are paid. Meanwhile, police have been informed about the incident, and steps are being taken to ensure the matter does not escalate further.

The standoff highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing utility services and consumer compliance in addressing power supply issues in the region.