NESCO Office Besieged in Rangpur Demanding Removal of Prepaid Meters.

Mohinul Islam Sujan, Crime Reporter. Electricity consumers in Rangpur have besieged the Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) office, demanding the removal of prepaid meters, the reinstatement of the previous digital postpaid meters, and the provision of digital postpaid meters to new connection applicants. On Wednesday (September 23) afternoon, a memorandum containing petitions from hundreds of consumers was submitted to NESCO’s Chief Engineer at the office on College Road. Prior to this, two processions—originating from the city's Shapla Chattar and Lalbagh areas—converged on the NESCO office to participate in the siege. Professor Md. Delwar Hossain, President of the Rangpur Electricity Consumer Forum, presided over the rally held during the siege. Speakers included the organization's advisors Anwar Hossain Bablu and Mirza Babar Babul; Member Secretary Ahsanul Arefin Titu; members Md. Sohel and Shahidul Islam Sumon; and affected consumers Naznin Begum, Shahanara Khatun, Shafiqul Islam, and Raja Miyan, among others. At the rally, consumer Shafiqul Islam recounted how NESCO staff visited his home while he was away and spoke to his wife about installing a prepaid meter. He alleged that they told his wife she could face a fine of Tk 20,000 and a lawsuit if the meter was not installed; frightened by this, his wife did not raise any objection. The staff subsequently installed the prepaid meter and left. Shafiqul Islam further stated that since the installation of the prepaid meter, his monthly electricity expenses have increased compared to before. Professor Md. Delwar Hossain, Convener of the Electricity Consumer Forum, stated that NESCO installed the prepaid meters while ignoring consumer opinion. He demanded the immediate cancellation of the prepaid meter project and the reinstatement of the previous digital postpaid meters. Speakers at the rally emphasized that consumer opinions must be valued rather than forcibly imposing prepaid meters upon them. They also demanded that digital postpaid meters be provided for new electricity connections.