A large crowed gathered outside the office of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Distribution Centre in Parbat on Thursday to protest frequent power cuts in the district. The protesting mass also obstructed the Pokhara-Baglung Highway.

One of the protesters, Jagat Bhusal, said they have been facing power cuts for up to 12 hours a day, though the district was declared load shedding-free.

Local authorities had deployed a large number of police personnel to control the angry crowd who planned to padlock the office of the NEA Distribution Centre chief, Kanahiyalal Das.

The protesters returned after Chief District Officer Jhankanath Dhakal assured to address their concern. They have, however, warned of closing down the two hydropower projects in the district if their demand for regular power supply is not met.