Pabna, Sept 9 (V7N) – Farmers in Chatmohar upazila besieged the main office of Pabna Rural Electrification Society-1 on Monday night after a transformer theft disrupted irrigation for their crops.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. when local farmers, frustrated by power interruptions at a Kuril Bil irrigation pump in Dharail Mallikpat, gathered outside the electricity office demanding immediate action. Earlier, a gang had lowered three transformers from an electric pole at the pump site, stealing copper wires from one transformer. This halted water supply to agricultural land, triggering protests.

About a hundred farmers in the area, where Aman and Irri paddy fields are cultivated, observed the theft and confronted the thieves, but the culprits managed to escape. Led by pump operator Kazem Ali, the farmers alleged that some staff of the rural electrification society might have been complicit, citing the rapid restoration of electricity after the transformers were tampered with.

The farmers united and staged a protest outside the society’s main office around 9 p.m., chanting slogans and demanding the immediate installation of new transformers. Police, led by Chatmohar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Manjurul Alam, intervened to calm the agitated crowd and assured them that transformers would be reinstalled promptly.

On Tuesday afternoon, the electricity authorities installed new transformers, restoring water supply and easing tensions. Farmers, however, emphasized the need for the swift arrest of the thieves to prevent future incidents.

Abdul Khalek, Assistant General Manager of Pabna Rural Electrification Society-1, denied any involvement, stating that the society is actively searching for the culprits. He added that transformers were reinstalled in accordance with policy to ensure minimal disruption to customers. OC Manjurul Alam confirmed that police supervised the reinstallation process and described the situation as under control.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns among local farmers about the security of electricity infrastructure critical for irrigation and agriculture in the region.

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