Power-less pockets of Calcutta erupt in protest While the demonstrations were restricted to main roads on Friday, they spread to lanes and bylanes on Saturday

Residents at a blockade on Garia’s Raja SC Mullick Road demand restoration of power and water supply on Saturday morning Pictures by Gautam Bose

TT,  24.05.20, Calcutta: Hundreds of fresh protest pockets cropped up across Calcutta over the absence of power and water for more than 72 hours since Cyclone Amphan battered the city. While protests were restricted to main roads on Friday, they spread to lanes and bylanes on Saturday.

The Telegraph lists some places rocked by protest

Behala

Around 50 protesters, a large number of them women, blocked Biren Roy Road (West) from 8.30am on Saturday. The residents of wards 126, 127 and 128 said they were without power for over 72 hours. A car with a board that had “Judge” written on it was among many vehicles that were left stranded by the blockade.

“You are in a position of power. Please make our voice heard,” a protester was seen telling a woman who stepped out to plead with the group to let the car pass.

Salt Lake

Sporadic protests took place in Salt Lake after residents complained that the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation was doing precious little to remove the fallen trees and restore power.

In BH Block, residents protested the delay in removing a tree that got uprooted and fell diagonally across the road before coming to a rest on a balcony of a house near the Tank No. 7 bus stop. Vivek Choudhary, a businessman who lives in the building with his family, said the corporation had not removed the tree despite repeated calls.

Anita Mondal, the local councillor, said she had to run from pillar to post to get a team equipped with axes and power saws. “We don’t have enough personnel,” said Mondal.

Baguiati

Residents of several areas in Baguiati, Kestopur and Arjunpur protested near the Baguiati bus stop as they have been without water and electricity since the storm barrelled through the city. The protesters refused to give way to any vehicle alleging that neither men from the power utility nor civic officials were seen in the area. The residents removed the blockade after senior police officers promised help.

Bansdroni

In Bansdroni, residents blocked lanes by logs of fallen trees. On a stretch of Ashok Avenue, off NSC Bose Road, the protesters did not allow even cyclists to pass through. “We did not do anything till Friday. Our patience snapped on Saturday,” said Saikat Pal.

Netajinagar

A group of protesters in Ward number 9 in Netajinagar Colony blocked the road in front of Netajinagar police station. “We went to police repeatedly, requesting them to get in touch with CESC for us. We have been without power since Wednesday evening. Since there is no response, we decided to protest,” said Joy Bose.

Surjonagar

In Surjonagar, between Bansdroni and Ranikuthi, even residents of police quarters joined the protest that had started on Friday.

Madhumita Das Mahapatra, a resident of the quarters and one of the protesters, said: “Last night, we heard that a group of CESC workers would come to fix the lines. But a group of people from the adjoining lanes dragged them away. How would we survive?” asked Mahapatra.

The road between the Ranikuthi crossing and the GD Birla Centre for Education was also blocked. A cop pleaded with the protesters so that he could reach Netajinagar police station but his plea was turned down.

“We have not allowed even your seniors to pass through. We won’t budge till power is restored,” a protester was heard telling the cop on a motorcycle.

A resident of Ranikuthi stops a policeman at a blockade set up to protest the delay in resumption of power and water supply

Swiss Park

The scale of protest was so huge in Swiss Park, near Charu Market, that power minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay had to visit the site to talk to residents.

“I held several meetings with CESC and my department. I have given them instructions but they are saying they are unable to work. There are not enough personnel,” said Chatterjee, who turned up at the protest site around 1pm.

Baishnabghata and Garia Park

Residents of Baishnabghata and Garia Park (wards 100 and 110) stacked tyres, chairs and bamboo poles on Raja SC Mullick Road, in front of Dinabandhu Andrews College, and also near the Route 5 bus terminus. “Even the councillor is not bothering to meet us,” said an agitator.

Topsia

Maruti Bagan in Topsia has remained in the dark since 5pm on Wednesday, residents said. Nilanjan Dey, one of the protesters, said that when they called up CESC, they were told that nothing could be done till a fallen tree on the Park Circus connector was removed.

“The CMC said they did not have enough personnel to remove the tree,” said Nilanjana Dey, a resident. A CESC team finally arrived at 4.30pm and the supply to some pock-ets was restored half an hour later.

But those areas were again plunged into darkness as the restored phase blew off. The area has remained unlit since then.

Anandapur

Residents of Anandapur blocked EM Bypass, near VIP Market, from Saturday morning for two hours. The protesters alleged that CESC personnel had not visited the area even once.

Khardah

Residents blocked Kalyani Expressway demanding resumption of power and water supply. A section of the protesters allegedly clashed with the police.

Amtala, Howrah

More than 100 people blocked Andul Road, near Amtala Phanri, for nearly an hour around 6pm. They complained there had been no electricity in the area since Wednesday.

Nearly 100 residents blocked GT Road at 10.30am on the same issue. The protest continued for an hour. Similar protest were held on Kona Expressway and in Uluberia.