Power Bill Hike Sparks Protest in Dhalai, National Highway Blocked at Manu Ghat, Demonstrators Demand Power Minister's Resignation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 7, 2026

Public anger over alleged excessive electricity bills and deteriorating power services erupted into a major protest in Tripura's Dhalai district on Friday, with hundreds of residents laying siege to the Manu Electricity Office before blocking the National Highway at Manu Ghat, bringing traffic to a standstill.

More than a hundred aggrieved electricity consumers gathered outside the Manu Electricity Office to protest what they described as an unjustified hike in electricity bills. The demonstrators demanded the immediate withdrawal of inflated power bills and called for accurate billing based on actual consumption. Raising slogans, they accused the Power Department of imposing an unbearable financial burden on ordinary consumers.

The protesters alleged that electricity bills for many households had increased abnormally over the past few months, making it difficult for families to pay. They demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged billing discrepancies, correction of inflated bills, and measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

As the protest intensified, the demonstrators marched to Manu Ghat and blocked the National Highway, severely disrupting vehicular movement. Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the highway as traffic remained suspended for several hours.

The protesters also expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of electricity services, alleging frequent power outages and inadequate response from the department. Amid the agitation, they raised slogans demanding the resignation of the state's Power Minister, holding the department responsible for the ongoing problems faced by consumers.

During the demonstration, a delegation of the protesters submitted a memorandum to the officer in charge of the Manu Electricity Office. The officials assured the delegation that the matter would be brought to the notice of higher authorities and that necessary steps would be taken to address the grievances.

Police and local administrative officials rushed to the spot to maintain law and order and initiated discussions with the protesters to restore normal traffic. The situation remained tense for some time before efforts were made to resolve the impasse.

The incident reflects growing public discontent over electricity billing and power supply in the region, with residents urging the state government to take immediate corrective measures to restore public confidence in the electricity distribution system.

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