Ludhiana, July 24 -- An on-duty Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) sub-divisional officer (SDO) was allegedly assaulted by a group of residents at the 66-KV Dugri grid substation late Wednesday night after rain-triggered technical faults led to prolonged power outages in several parts of the city.

The incident occurred at a time when the utility's technical workforce was on strike, forcing senior officers to operate substations with skeletal staff. According to PSPCL officials, the Dugri grid was being managed by SDO Gurvinder Singh and only one lineman when the incident took place.

Officials said heavy rain on Wednesday night resulted in multiple feeder faults across Ludhiana. An incoming fault at the 66-KV Dugri grid furth...