Dozens of FIRs have been registered against Muslim residents of Sambhal, including MP Zia-Ur-Rahman Barq, in alleged power theft cases. Power officials claim they discovered irregularities in electric meters, but local Muslims denounce the action as a “witch hunt.”
The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has been conducting raids in Muslim-dominated areas of Sambhal, leading to accusations of bias. So far, power theft has reportedly been detected in dozens of houses, resulting in fines amounting to ₹1.3 crore. The power supply to these houses likely to he suspended over the alleged irregularities.
The cases have been registered under Section 135 of the Anti-Power Theft Act.
“The power department requested police security for conducting anti-theft drives in certain areas of Sambhal near Jama Mosque. During the drive, several houses were found stealing electricity,” said ASP Shrish Chandra.
The administration’s anti-encroachment and anti-power theft operations continue with heavy police deployment to maintain law and order.
Muslim residents in the region strongly oppose the actions, calling them targeted harassment.
“Earlier, they used to demolish houses of Muslims. Now they are accusing us of power theft. They don’t want us to live peacefully,” said Danish, a businessman.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.