TN minister blames \”deliberate sabotage\” for frequent power outages

TN Minister Attributes Power Outages to ‘Intentional Sabotage’

TN minister blames deliberate sabotage for frequent – Residents of Chennai and surrounding areas faced extended power cuts, disrupting their daily lives and prompting protests. Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar stated that these outages were the result of ‘deliberate sabotage,’ pointing to individuals who intentionally tampered with infrastructure to incite unrest.

Investigation into Power Disruptions

Authorities are analyzing the frequency and locations of outages to uncover patterns indicating intentional interference. Kumar emphasized that the incidents were not due to technical malfunctions but rather acts of calculated disruption.

Residents’ Response and Protests

Power failures lasting into the late hours of Saturday left many without electricity for two to four hours, causing frustration. In areas like Medavakkam and Pallikaranai, citizens took to the streets, accusing the state of neglecting infrastructure maintenance. A senior official from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board countered that distribution-related issues were the primary cause.

“Complaints are being filed against individuals caught tampering with power infrastructure, with some arrests already reported,” Kumar stated during a press briefing.

Public Cooperation and Surveillance Efforts

Kumar highlighted the need for community involvement in identifying culprits, especially in areas without CCTV coverage. He noted that existing footage is being used to trace individuals responsible for pulling fuses or causing outages. The minister also praised the public’s vigilance in reporting suspicious activities.

Minnagam Portal and Enhanced Patrols

To address the issue, the state government has launched the ‘Minnagam’ system, which monitors social media complaints and coordinates with the distribution department for swift resolution. Additional teams of 20 members each have been deployed in regions such as north Chennai and Villivakkam to ensure rapid restoration of power.

Earlier, Kumar had cited video evidence from Avadi, where unknown persons removed fuses from pillar boxes, leading to financial losses and service interruptions. The minister reiterated that the government relies on public reports to tackle such incidents effectively.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.