• By Imran Zafar
  • Wed, 25 Oct 2023 03:47 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI

Farmers in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district took a crocodile to the office of the state-run Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) to protest against irregular power cuts that disrupted their agricultural activities and exposed them to the danger of wild animals. The protesting farmers said that they took the crocodile to the HESCOM office to "demonstrate" the danger posed to them because of the power outage.

The crocodile had come from the nearby Krishna River and was spotted by a farmer in his field at night when he went to water his farm after the power supply was restored. The villagers tied the reptile and carried it to the HESCOM office on October 19, where they demanded regular power supply during the daytime.

The HESCOM officials, who were shocked by the “unusual guest”, called the police and forest officials to take it away. They also assured the villagers that they will ensure that there will not be any power cuts during the daytime. The forest officials later released the crocodile in the Almatti Dam, as reported by the news agency PTI.

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According to Irrigation Department officials, scanty rainfall this year has disrupted agriculture activities and there is not enough water in the dams to release for irrigation purposes. Farmers are dependent on borewells for irrigation, which consume a lot of electricity. 

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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said recently that there was a power shortage in the state due to a steep rise in demand and consumption. The power consumption in October has gone up to 16,000 MW from 10,000 MW due to increased usage of electricity for agriculture purposes.