Jamalpur Palli Bidyut Samity Seeks Police Protection Amid Severe Power Crisis and Public Unrest
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JAMALPUR — Severe power shortages are crippling daily life across Jamalpur, with rural areas facing acute electricity deficits that have left residents without power for up to 15 hours a day. The crisis, driven by a widening gap between demand and supply from the national grid, has disrupted local businesses, halted production activities, and triggered widespread public frustration.
Jamalpur Palli Bidyut Samity, the local rural electrification authority, has officially requested increased security from the district administration for its offices and substations. In a letter submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday, the utility cited concerns over rising public anger, noting that deteriorating conditions and social media backlash could escalate into security threats against personnel and infrastructure.
General Manager Sahidul Islam stated that the region’s average daily demand stands at 170 megawatts. However, the utility is currently receiving only 55 to 60 percent of that requirement from the national grid, forcing daily load-shedding of 90 to 95 megawatts. According to the utility, these supply gaps have resulted in persistent outages lasting between 14 and 15 hours per day.
Residents across the district, including those in the Islampur and Melandah Upazilas, described the situation as intolerable. Mizanur Rahman, a resident of the Natakanda area, reported that electricity is available for only four to five hours a day in fragmented intervals. Others, such as Rukun Mia of the Shyampur area, highlighted the collapse of basic domestic services, noting that the lack of power has made it impossible to charge mobile phones or keep food refrigerated.
Addressing the security concerns, Sahidul Islam emphasized that power substations are critical national infrastructure. He warned that any vandalism or attacks on these facilities would result in prolonged power outages for thousands of consumers. He reiterated that the load-shedding is not a localized decision but a direct consequence of inadequate allocations from the national grid.
District Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali confirmed that the administration has received the utility’s request and is taking necessary measures to ensure the security of the power infrastructure.
Jamalpur Palli Bidyut Samity serves approximately 800,000 customers. In addition to Jamalpur, the network supplies power to parts of Kurigram’s Rowmari and Rajibpur, as well as segments of Sirajganj and Bogura. Officials stated that the shortfall has been ongoing since the start of this month, forcing the utility to implement rigorous rationing to manage the significant supply-demand deficit.
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