People living in huts by the Amochu River in Phuentshogling have not been able to meet the municipality officials to appeal for the electricity reconnection. Close to a 50-household have been living without electricity for the past six days now.
The group had gathered outside the municipal office, with a hope, to meet the officials, yesterday. They say the power supply was disconnected without a notice.
“We went to meet the officials last week but couldn’t,” said one of the affected, Thinley Dorji. “We are having a difficult time. Our children cannot study.” Many affected echoed his sentiments saying it is their children’s education they are worried about.
However, they were told that the officials would be available only Wednesday.
“We were told he has a meeting at Dungkhag,” said another affected, Tshewang Dorji.
The Bhutan Power Corporation in Phuentshogling said the power was cut off as per the letter issued to them by the municipal office.
Phuentshogling’s Thrompon, Cheten Dorji said the electricity was disconnected as a safety measure following the fire incident last month. Two toddlers lost their live after several huts were razed in the same area.
“We will not accept the appeal. The huts are illegal.” The Thrompon said they had asked the occupants to vacant the area and that by this time they should have moved out.
However many of the residents say they cannot move as some of them are disabled, some old, some old, some unemployed, and some poor.
“We don’t know where to go,” said Tshewang Dorji.
Others said they might have to look for a place to stay across the border in Jaigoan. “But the rents have increased,” said Thinley Dorji.
There are hundreds of students living the small huts.
The huts are believed to have existed for more than a decade now.
