Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse protesters in North 24-Parganas on Saturday after they attacked cops who were trying to remove a blockade put up by local residents alleging negligence in restoration of power supply after Cyclone Amphan.

In similar incidents, angry residents demanding resumption of power supply attacked police at the Dharmasthan area of BT Road and Chaparia More in Titagarh when the force tried to lift blockades on Friday night. The police had to baton-charge violent residents who hurled stones and set a lorry on fire at Dharmasthan.

Khardah and Titagarh were not any exception as the fury of residents surviving without power and water spread to various areas in the Amphan-devastated zones of the state, including Maheshtala on Budge Budge Trunk Road in South 24-Parganas where residents vandalised a police vehicle on Saturday.

With the number violent incidents increasing, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who was on her way to the Behala flying club to take a chopper to Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas, spoke to angry protesters outside the CESC office in Taratala. Urging patience, she said: “We are trying our best to restore normality. I also have no power supply at my home.”

Later she said: “Some people are provoking people.… I appeal to them (political opponents) not to misled people with their brand of politics.”

Minister Rajib Banerjee faced the wrath of a section of residents in Kalyani’s Block A on Saturday.

Rajib Banerjee said later: “The disaster is unprecedented, with huge poles lying uprooted, and cables and sub-stations damaged. People should try to understand it. Nevertheless, as per directions of the chief minister, the WBSEDCL has been working round the clock to restore normality.”