Transformer Theft Leaves Soraha Village In Uttar Pradesh In Darkness As Residents Shiver In Cold

In Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district, Soraha village has been without electricity for over 20 days. A 250kVA transformer was stolen, leaving more than 5,000 residents in darkness during the harsh winter, according to a report in The Times of India.

The theft was discovered on December 15 when villagers noticed the missing transformer during their routine walks. The thieves had stolen copper wires and other valuable parts before being hidden under straw in nearby fields.

How It Impacted Daily Lives?

The theft has severely impacted daily life in Soraha. Students are particularly affected as they prepare for the UP Board exams next month. Without electricity, inverters and mobile phones are useless, and water pumps remain non-functional. Village head Satpal Singh expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the urgent need for a replacement transformer.

Efforts to Restore Power

Executive engineer Narendra Chaudhary told the English daily that temporary measures have been taken to help Soraha village. "A supply connection from a nearby village has been arranged to ease the problem," he said. He also mentioned that most transformer thefts occur during winter, prompting requests for increased police patrolling.

Despite these claims, many villagers dispute the existence of an alternate power supply. Pramod Gupta, a resident, said on Monday that they have been living in darkness since the theft and accused the electricity department of providing false information.

Investigation Underway

The Ughaiti police station received a complaint about the theft on December 14. SHO Kamlesh Kumar Mishra confirmed an FIR against unknown individuals and stated that investigations are ongoing. "We are analysing mobile activity and CCTV footage from the area," Mishra said. The nature of the theft suggests possible insider involvement due to its complexity with a live line.

This incident is not isolated in Uttar Pradesh. On October 26 last year, a gang attempted to steal a transformer in Kanpur but faced tragic consequences when one member died from an electric shock after coming into contact with a live wire.

The deceased's wife reported him missing, leading police to trace all involved gang members. They were subsequently arrested and sent to jail by a local court.