Lack of power and water in the aftermath of Thane in Puducherry and Cuddalore is making tempers rise among the residents.
In Reddiyarpalayam, the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse residents of Kamban Nagar for blocking the Puducherry-Villupuram national highway demanding restoration of power and water supply, which was suspended since Friday.
The agitators shouted slogans against the administration for not taking any steps to restore power supply.
When the protestors refused to budge in spite of the police assuring that efforts were on to restore power supply in a phased manner, the police resorted to lathicharge.
As many as 68 persons, 17 of them women, were arrested and released in the evening. The residents of Villianur and Bommayarpalayam blocked the road for the same reasons.
In Cuddalore, thirsting residents of numerous coastal hamlets and suburban areas intercepted tankers bringing water from neighbouring districts.
Despite tall claims by the administration that over 80 tankers had been pressed into service to supply drinking water, there was no supply to households in Cuddalore municipality.
“How can a family of four live without water for more than three days? The authorities have not made any alternative arrangements,” asks Ms J. Usha, a resident of Cuddalore old town.
“There is no power for the last four days to store water in tanks. We have run out of water and generator suppliers charge Rs 500 per hour to pump water into tanks,” adds another resident T. Neelavannan.
Official sources said power was likely to be restored in Cuddalore town main areas by Tuesday. TNEB has mobilised additional engineers and technicians from other districts for restoring power supply. It will take weeks to restore power fully.