Six villagers were arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district after they allegedly tied a telecom technician to a mobile tower over a prolonged 5G network outage, according to a senior police official. The incident, which occurred in Hardauli village in the Bindki area, was reported on Thursday (September 10, 2026), and the police rescued the technician on Friday (September 11, 2026). The technician, identified as Aditya Bhan Singh, had been sent to the village to address a mobile network issue, but villagers detained him and tied him to the tower, demanding that the 5G connectivity problem be resolved.

Superintendent of Police (Fatehpur) Abhimanyu Manglik told PTI that villagers claimed the area had been facing poor mobile connectivity, particularly 5G services, for nearly two years despite a private telecom tower being installed there. They alleged that the network frequently remained unavailable even when electricity was available, affecting calls and internet access. The SP said villagers claimed that residents had been paying for 5G services without any significant improvement in connectivity. A video purportedly showing the technician tied to the tower and surrounded by villagers surfaced on social media, prompting police action.

Police registered an FIR against unidentified villagers on Singh’s complaint on Friday and subsequently arrested six individuals: Rahul Patel (28), Suraj Yadav (21), Alok Patel (29), Yogendra Patel (36), Alok Yadav (31), and Sachin Patel (30). The arrested individuals were produced before a magistrate and later released on bail, according to police. The SP said the investigation is ongoing.

The incident highlights the growing frustration among rural communities with inadequate mobile connectivity, particularly with 5G services. While the villagers’ actions were extreme, they reflect a broader issue of service quality and customer dissatisfaction. The police have not commented on whether the telecom company has acknowledged the villagers’ complaints or taken steps to address the connectivity issues. The lack of a formal response from the company raises questions about accountability and the effectiveness of service delivery in the region.

What remains unknown is whether the telecom company has been informed of the villagers’ grievances or if there is any ongoing dialogue between the company and the local community. The police have not provided details on the nature of the investigation or whether any charges are being considered beyond the initial arrests. Additionally, there is no information on whether the villagers’ demands have been met or if the 5G network has been restored to the area. The incident underscores the need for clearer communication and more transparent service agreements between telecom providers and their customers, particularly in rural areas where connectivity is often a critical issue.