Mataram – Violence triggered by constant rolling blackouts have prompted the authority of state-owned electricity company PT PLN in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to turn to the police for protection.

Ahmad Zuzdjazd, PLN human resources manager, said they had officially requested the police's protection and security.

"We have asked for protection, especially for vital power installation plants," he said on Wednesday after meeting NTB administration secretary Abdul Malik in Mataram.

Admitting to suffering deficits in power supply, the PLN office has cut the public's electricity supply more frequently over the last two weeks.

Hundreds of people in East Lombok stoned the Masbagik office of the diesel powered plant on Tuesday. They shouted angry chants against the unannounced blackouts, which had been recurring more frequently.

"We are still investigating the incident," R. Sujoko, an officer in charge of public relations at the East Lombok police office, said.

Ahmad conceded there was a 40 megawatt (MW) power deficit, saying the plants could only supply 70 MW of the ideal 110 MW.