More than 300 villagers continued to camp outside the main gate of the Bharatiya Rail Bijlee Company Limited township in Bihar’s Aurangabad district for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, refusing to allow the employees of the firm or their family members to enter or exit the area, reported PTI. The 1,000-megawatt power plant is a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and the Railways.

At least 150 people have been confined inside the township since Sunday after residents of Surar, Salya, Khaira and Gogara Bandh villages blocked the main gate. The villagers are demanding the resumption of power supply to their homes, said NTPC Manager (Public Relations) Vishwanath Chandan. “We are making efforts for an amicable solution with the help of local administration,” he said.

Aurangabad District Magistrate Rahul Ranjan Mahiwal said the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Sadar held discussions with the villagers till 10 pm on Monday. “Another round of talks will be held this evening to resolve the issue and we are hopeful of getting an amicable solution,” he said.

The Block Development Officer and Circle Officer of Nabinagar are present at the site, added Mahiwal.

While the village residents alleged that the plant had disconnected their power supply, the NTPC claimed the villages were stealing power from the township, reported the Hindustan Times.

On Monday, the power company lodged a First Information Report with the police, accusing the villagers of throwing stones, burning tyres, and cutting off supplies of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicines by not allowing anyone to either enter or exit the township.