Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest in Kollam by sleeping inside the local office of the Kerala State Electricity Board. The demonstration was held to highlight concerns over what protesters described as frequent and unannounced power cuts in several parts of the district.
According to the protesters, recurring electricity outages have been affecting households, particularly children and elderly residents. They claimed that the interruptions are causing inconvenience in daily routines, including studies, household work, and access to basic amenities. To draw attention to the issue, the activists adopted a symbolic method by laying mats on the floor and staging what they called a sleep protest inside the office premises.
The protest aimed to pressure authorities to provide a clear explanation and ensure a stable power supply. Demonstrators demanded that the power utility issue prior notices if outages are unavoidable and take steps to prevent sudden disruptions.
In response to the allegations, officials from the Kerala State Electricity Board stated that there is no planned load shedding currently being implemented in the state. They clarified that recent power interruptions in certain areas were due to temporary overload conditions and technical issues in the distribution network.
The state government has also addressed the issue, with the Electricity Minister stating that the power supply system is being closely monitored. Authorities have maintained that necessary steps are being taken to manage demand and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply as much as possible.
Energy sector observers note that Kerala has been experiencing increased electricity demand in recent weeks. Seasonal factors, higher consumption, and strain on infrastructure can sometimes lead to localized disruptions. However, officials emphasize that such issues are typically resolved quickly and do not indicate a broader power crisis.
Despite these assurances, the protest reflects growing public concern over the reliability of electricity supply in certain areas. Residents have called for improved communication from authorities and better management of power distribution systems.
The incident also highlights how political organizations are raising civic issues through public demonstrations. The Youth Congress has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and escalate the matter if consistent power supply is not ensured.
Authorities have appealed for cooperation from the public and urged consumers to report outages through official channels so that prompt action can be taken. They have also reiterated their commitment to maintaining a stable and efficient electricity supply system.
Further developments are expected as officials review the situation and respond to the concerns raised by residents and protesters.