Jind: Protesting farmers and villagers in Hat village of Safidon subdivision escalated their ongoing agitation on Tuesday by launching a rotational hunger strike over the alleged assault of an advocate at a local power sub-station and chronic electricity shortages.The protest, which saw participation from women, labour union members, and farm organisation leaders, stems from a Sept 16 incident where advocate Praveen Kumar Boora was allegedly beaten by sub-station staff when he went to report a power fault at his home.A administrative delegation comprising DSP Gaurav Sharma, naib tehsildar Sanjay Sharma, and power corporation executive engineer (XEN) Amit Kumar visited the protest site to appeal for an end to the demonstration.DSP Sharma informed the protesters that a special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to nab the accused, while XEN Amit Kumar confirmed that the entire staff at the Hat sub-station has been transferred and a special grievance camp will be held in the village.Protesters rejected the appeal to disband, maintaining that the agitation will continue until all accused—including SDO Rural Prabhat, JEs Ratan Lal and Rajendra, lineman Ravi, and operator Manish named in the FIR—are arrested.Villagers alleged that despite being connected to the Jagmag scheme in 2022 and receiving assurances of 16 to 22 hours of daily power following a prior secretariat gherao, they currently receive barely 13 hours of erratic supply.Addressing allegations of shielding the accused, Safidon MLA Ram Kumar Gautam denied involvement, stating: “I am not even aware of how the matter began. I am not safeguarding anyone. Action will be taken strictly as per the findings of the investigation.”
