SAMBHAL: Amid heavy security arrangements, a smart electricity meter was installed on Tuesday at the residence of Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal, Zia Ur Rehman, in the Deepasarai locality, officials said.
Santosh Tripathi, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO-1) of Sambhal, stated that the electricity department team had gone to the MP's residence to replace the earlier meter with a smart meter.
Tripathi added that similar installations were being carried out in Deepasarai and that police were present to ensure security arrangements.
Additional Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra confirmed the police presence, saying, “Smart meters are being installed in Deepasarai, and we have visited the location for security purposes.”
Mamluk Ur Rahman Barq, the MP’s father, told reporters, “The smart meter is being installed, and there is nothing new in it. The new meter is simply replacing the old one.”
The developments in Sambhal on Tuesday are significant, as they follow remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the state Assembly on Monday. Adityanath had alleged that “mini-power stations” were being operated from religious places in Sambhal.
Speaking after the Question Hour, Adityanath claimed, “Many mosques were found to be setting up illegal sub-stations inside them, and connections were being distributed for free. The line loss of the power corporation in the state is less than 30 per cent, but the line loss in Deepasarai and Miyasarai localities of Sambhal is 78 per cent and 82 per cent respectively. This is loot of the country's resources. If the administration is discharging its duty, then it will be called a thief, and if the administration catches theft, then it will be said that it is an atrocity.”
In a related development, the Sambhal administration reopened a temple that had been locked since 1978 following communal riots in the town.
Officials stated that the Bhasma Shankar temple, located a short distance from the Shahi Jama Masjid, was discovered during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra, who led a campaign against electricity theft in the area, said, “While inspecting the region, we stumbled upon this temple. Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities.”
Some locals claim that the temple had remained locked since 1978, following communal riots that led to the displacement of the Hindu community.
Barq, when asked about the discovery of the temple in Khaggu Sarai and alleged encroachments in the area, dismissed the claims, saying, “There is no truth in it. A needle is being made into a shovel (‘sooyi ko phaavda banayaa jaa rahaa hai’).”
