BADAUN, UP: Thousands of residents in Soraha village, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, have been without power for weeks after thieves stole essential parts from a local electricity transformer on December 14.
Villagers, during their regular walks, noticed that a 250kVA transformer was missing and reported it to local authorities. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the thieves had stolen valuable components—copper wires, oil, and other metal parts—before dumping the transformer in a nearby field, according to a report by Times of India.
Disruption Amid Cold and Fog
The theft comes at a time when northern India is grappling with cold temperatures and dense fog. The power outage has disrupted the daily lives of villagers, particularly affecting children who are preparing for state board exams scheduled for next month. “Without power, inverters and mobile phones are useless, and submersible pumps are non-operational,” said village head Satpal Singh.
Temporary Measures and Villagers’ Frustration
An executive engineer from the electricity department stated that an alternate power supply had been arranged from a nearby village as a temporary measure. “Most thefts occur during winters. We have requested additional patrolling from the police,” said engineer Narendra Chaudhary. However, villagers disagreed with this claim, accusing local government officials of neglecting their issues and appealing for a permanent solution.
Investigation and Suspicion of Insider Involvement
The police have filed an FIR against unknown persons. Initial investigations, including tracking mobile phone calls and reviewing CCTV footage, have led to some leads. Officials also pointed out that the theft of a live wire could suggest the involvement of someone with insider knowledge.
