Residents of Gadood Bagh and its adjacent areas in Habba Kadal area of Srinagar have been forced to reel under darkness since yesterday after authorities snapped electricity for objecting to installation of smart meters in the area.

Locals said that they held a protest yesterday after authorities reached the area to install smart meters.

They said however, after objection and protest by the people, electricity to their houses was snapped at around 02:00 PM. “Since then we have not received electricity. This is sheer highhandedness on part of the authorities,” they said.

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Javed Yousuf Dar told KNO that the electricity has been snapped as residents objected to installation of smart meters.

“The order in this regard has been received from top officials,” he said.