To prevent a law and order situation in the area, the police have organised a meeting between the discom and local representatives on Thursday.

Data available with the discom for 2007-2008 shows that almost 26 MU (million units) out of 32.5 MU supplied in Najafgarh is stolen, resulting in a loss of Rs 6.5 crore: "the number of registered customers is 40,000".

Alarmed by the amount of loss in the area, officials decided to install insulated cables to make it difficult for people to steal power, officials said. "Rs 6 crore was spent to insulate the cables."

DCP, southwest district, Shalini Singh, said: "People should know that they cannot get proper electricity supply if they try to bypass the system by stealing power."

"While the discom says it is suffering losses in the area, the locals are agitated because of frequent powercuts and BSES officials fear of being manhandled. A meeting has been organised to sort out the issue amicably," DCP Singh said.

Apart from BSES officials, elected representatives of the public, local councillors, village sarpanches and residents would be invited for the meeting on July 3.

Over the past few days, residents have been out on the streets protesting. The trouble reached the L-G's office on Tuesday with the police finding it difficult to handle the situation.