Over a hundred people, residing in temporary huts by the bank of Amochhu in Phuentshogling, have been living in the dark for the last three days. Phuentshogling Thromde had cut off the power supply Thursday following completion of the deadline.
After a major fire disaster last September, which resulted in the death of two children, Phuentshogling Thromde had cut off electricity supply.
Since the settlement was also deemed illegal, the thromde had asked the people to move out.
However, after repeated appeal from the affected, the municipal office had restored the power supply and extended the deadline to move out till end of last year.
But, the extension of the deadline has failed to work its charm. Also, disconnecting power supply is unlikely to result in people moving out.
They have nowhere to go.
For many of the 49 households, this has been their home for over a decade.
“We went looking for a house in the town. They asked for an exorbitant rent,” said one of them.
Because of their old age, many cannot think of returning to their villages. They say they will not be able to do the farm work and others said they don’t own land in villages.
They say they have to stay put despite the grind.
And without electricity, they have been lighting kerosene lamps, studying in dark and cooking in an open fire outside.
