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ozens of residents have attacked premises belonging to state-owned electricity firm PT PLN in Pancur Batu, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra. The locals were furious because they could not get an answer as to why they were experiencing almost day-long blackouts.

There were no injuries reported in the incident but the attackers broke several windows and damaged items of office equipment.

According to a PLN official, the PLN facility had resumed operations on Friday under the guard of dozens of riot policemen.

Deputy legal manager of North Sumatra PLN office Raidir Sigalingging said he regretted the attack even though he could fully understand the people'€™s anger.

'€œThey are upset because they must experience frequent blackouts. But our hands are tied because the blackouts are due to an electricity deficit. We are now in the middle of handling it,'€ he said.

He said if everything went as planned then the electricity would return to full capacity next week. Regarding the attack, he said that PLN had requested the police to conduct an investigation to bring to justice whoever was responsible.

Pancur Batu Police chief Comr. Darwin Sitepu said the mob arrived at the PLN premises around midnight. They demanded explanations as to why the electricity went out for almost an entire day in their region.

He said the police had actually asked one of the PLN officials to speak on behalf of the company to the angry crowd but none would do so. The tension then escalated with people starting to throw rocks at the building.