Click to play videoMumbai: Since the past two years, every home in a run-down police colony in Mumbai's western suburb of Malad, has lived in darkness, thanks to the power company, Reliance Energy.
But now, to protest against this civic apathy, the wives of the policemen have decided to take to the streets, despite the fact that they have little support from their husbands who are too afraid to speak out.
"People from Reliance came to us without any notice and they cut our metre. We were not even aware of it," complains Madhavi Angre. "We are hounded by mosquitoes, our children can't study. We don't even get any sleep nor do we get any water."
Reliance Energy, when contacted, said they had no option but to cut off the power two years ago because bills worth Rs 7 lakhs were unpaid.
The colony had even illegally tapped into a local transformer, something which even the women admit to having been done.
"We went to them (Reliance Energy) several times and requested them for electricity but we got no help," says Angre. "So, we were forced by Reliance to resort to illegal measures".
When the power was cut off, the colony was home to 248 families. Now, only 30 remain, and they say it is impossible for them to pay the massive arrears.
Although the Police Commissioner has offered to settle some of the money on their behalf, and negotiations with Reliance Energy are still underway, for the affected, there is still no succour in sight.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.