Sambhal Raids Spark Tension as UP Government Cracks Down on Power Theft
Just as the violence over a survey at an ancient mosque in Sambhal began to subside, the Uttar Pradesh government escalated its crackdown on power theft in the tense town, including around the disputed mosque.
Power officials reported discovering illegal electricity connections in “several mosques and a madrasa.” In response, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told the state Assembly that “mini-power stations” were being operated from religious sites in Sambhal. While the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) recorded a line loss of less than 30% statewide, Adityanath revealed that some areas of Sambhal experienced line losses exceeding 75%, labeling it as “looting of the country’s resources.”
Sambhal’s Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, already facing charges related to the November 24 violence in the town, has been fined Rs 1.91 crore for alleged power theft. He has been warned that his property will be attached if the dues are not cleared within 15 days. In addition, electricity supply to his residence has been cut off. His father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, has also been booked for allegedly threatening power officials during an inspection of their property.
Power Department Launches Crackdown on Electricity Theft in Moradabad Division
On Thursday, the Power Department expanded its crackdown on electricity theft across the Moradabad division, which includes Sambhal district. Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh ordered strict inspections of all religious sites to combat illegal power connections.
Power Theft Crackdown Expands Across Moradabad Division, Inspections Target Religious Sites
During a divisional review meeting attended by senior officials, including district magistrates from Bijnor, Rampur, Amroha, and Sambhal, Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh issued orders for comprehensive checks on electricity theft at religious sites such as temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and churches across all districts in the division.
While the recent action in Sambhal has garnered attention, senior UPPCL officials emphasized that the state’s ongoing drive against electricity theft is a routine effort. What distinguishes this phase, they noted, is the focus on areas experiencing significant electricity losses.
Following a survey, districts such as Budaun, Bareilly, Lakhimpur Kheri, Moradabad, and others have been identified for “targeted inspections.” On Saturday, protests were reported in Budaun and Rampur as inspection teams arrived, though local intervention helped resolve the issues. “We have a WhatsApp group where officials share updates, including photos, about protests in their districts,” said an official from the Lucknow headquarters.
Uttar Pradesh Power Department Intensifies Efforts to Combat Electricity Theft
An officer revealed that over the past three months, new guidelines have been issued on how and when inspections should be carried out. “We maintain detailed records of consumption patterns to identify areas in substations where electricity use is high, but revenue collection is low,” the officer explained.
Despite the state generating approximately 7,000 MW of power, daily consumption can reach up to 15,000 MW, even during winter, the officer noted. “It is estimated that around 20-22% of the total electricity supplied is lost due to theft and other factors.”
As part of the ongoing crackdown, the Power Department is replacing old electric meters with smart meters and upgrading electricity lines to prevent damage and theft.
Earlier this week, UPPCL Chairman Dr. Ashish Kumar Goel emphasized the need for stronger efforts to combat electricity theft. The department also recently launched a One-Time Settlement scheme to boost bill collection.
Sambhal’s Power Theft Crackdown Intensifies with Drones and Police Presence
In Sambhal, the ongoing campaign against power theft has been in progress for four months and has recently intensified as it targets densely populated areas. Police have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of inspections. To aid in the crackdown, three drone cameras are being used to identify buildings and houses with unauthorized power connections.
“In the past four days, we’ve identified 196 locations with illegal connections, and cases have been filed. This includes five mosques and a madrasa,” said Vinod Kumar Gupta, Superintendent Engineer (Power) in Sambhal.
Sambhal district president of the Samajwadi Party, Asgar Ali, stated that while they support efforts to curb power theft, they believe the routine inspections have turned into “targeted raids driven by political leaders.” Ali highlighted actions in four Muslim-majority areas of Sambhal.
Regarding the action taken against MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, Ali defended his family, pointing out that Barq comes from a prominent political lineage. His late grandfather, Shafiqur Rahman Barq, had served as a long-time MP, and Zia Ur Rehman was an MLA before becoming an MP. “Does it make sense to accuse someone of his stature of stealing electricity?” Ali questioned.
Gupta rejected allegations of selective action or acting on a specific complaint, stating, “We have registered FIRs against a mosque and all the houses found using illegal electricity connections in Sambhal.”
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi stated, “The FIR against MP Zia Ur Rehman was filed following a preliminary inquiry. It is troubling that lawmakers are involved in such activities. The SP should take action against him rather than defending him.”
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