Lucknow, June 29 -- The National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers (NCCOEEE) condemned the Uttar Pradesh government's move to privatise Dakshinanchal and Purvanchal power distribution companies and demanded the immediate withdrawal of FIRs and 'fabricated' charges against key leaders of the ongoing protest.

In a press note issued on Saturday, NCCOEEE said "Power employees and engineers have been resisting the privatisation bid for the past seven months. A massive Bijli Mahapanchayat held in Lucknow on June 22 saw participation from national unions including Samyukt Kisan Morcha, All India Railwaymen's Federation and State Government Employees' Federation, unnerving the state administration."

The committee alleg...