Karnataka farmers bring crocodile to Hubli electricity office to take a stand against power cuts

Farmers in Hubli, Karnataka, staged a unique protest against irregular power cuts that disrupted their agricultural activities by taking a crocodile to the office of the state-run Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM). They were concerned about the risks posed by wild animals and snakes when they had to tend to their farms at night due to insufficient daytime power supply.

Their protest was prompted by a farmer's encounter with an alligator in his agricultural field when he went to water his farm after power supply was restored late at night last week. Villagers believed the crocodile had come from the nearby Krishna River in search of prey.

To highlight the dangers they faced, the farmers captured the alligator and transported it to the HESCOM office on October 19. The unexpected presence of the "unusual guest" alarmed the HESCOM officials, who promptly called the police and forest officials to remove it.


HESCOM officials assured the villagers that they would work to minimise power cuts during the day, and forest officials later released the crocodile in the Almatti Dam, from where it was believed to have strayed into the field.

This unusual protest draws attention to the challenges faced by farmers in the region, who depend on borewells for irrigation due to inadequate water in dams, leading to excessive power consumption and power scarcity.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cited a steep increase in demand and consumption as contributing to the power shortage in Karnataka.The state has witnessed a significant rise in power consumption, particularly for agriculture purposes, with consumption increasing from around 10,000 MW in October to 16,000 MW due to the greater use of electricity for irrigation.

Farmers are grappling with power cuts that disrupt their activities and increase the risks they face, including encounters with wild animals like crocodiles, prompting their innovative protest to address these concerns.

Inputs from PTI