8 days sans power, water, protests break out in cyclone-hit Odisha

As power and water remained elusive in most cyclone-ravaged areas of coastal Odisha for the eighth day in a row despite the government's efforts to give restoration a push, protests broke out in several places on Friday to press for quick action.

Cyclone Fani battered the coastal districts on May 3 but only half of the over 4.5 lakh electricity consumers in Bhubaneswar have got power supply back at a time when the state is sizzled under intense heat wave.

Police said a large number of people staged a road blockade near Garage Chhak in the state capital demanding quick restoration of power supply which was severely hit due to uprooting of 1.56 lakh electric poles in the city alone.

Protesters also tried to attack an office of the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) here, forcing the employees to lock themselves inside.

"We were scared as angry demonstrators threatened and tried to attack us. We have sought protection from the police," said N K Sahu, a CESU officer.

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