Jorawer Singh, Chandigarh, September 8, 2009: One farmer dies, 15 private vehicles damaged and two motorcycles burnt by the end of the day today, when thousands of farmers from the state of Punjab thronged Chandigarh to express resentment at the Punjab Government’s move to privatize state electricity board. Farmers lost cool by the day end and started pelting stones, damaging four wheelers and other private property, went on total rampage this evening and even clashed with the police on the streets of Chandigarh. The police was forced to lathicharge and lob tear gas shells to disperse the violent farmers. A farmer lost his life in a freak accident while traveling back when he was hit by a branch of a tree. He fell from the roof top of an overcrowded bus and died of head injury.
Badal Government is now struck in a catch-22 situation, with the same free electricity offer which got Akalis to power seems to be now working against them. The Punjab State Electricity Board unable to bear its own burden is already in deep trouble and cannot last for long in this situation and so may be the incumbent Government. Not only farmers, the industry and the common man is also facing the brunt of endless power cuts in this inclement weather.