Trail of violence: Four die in separate incidents in Mingora

Power outages persist as over 50 electricity transformers are out of order

MINGORA: At least four people died and two others were injured in separate incidents in Mingora, Swat on Thursday.

A police official told The Express Tribune two people were killed while two others were wounded over a dispute between two families in Saidu Sharif. A scuffle broke out between members of both families.

“Syed Muhammad Jan, a police constable, and Naeemullah died during the fight,” the official said. “Hidayatullah and Anwar Jan were among those who were wounded and are being treated at Saidu Teaching Hospital.”

Separately, five-year-old Yasin Khan of Bara Bandai area died after he drowned in a canal. His body was handed over to his family. In another incident, a man, identified as Ali Saeed, was allegedly killed by Ajab Khan in Miandam. He was gunned down over a family dispute.

An FIR has been registered against these incidents.

Prolonged power outages

Residents of various localities in Mingora are facing prolonged power outages as more than 50 electricity transformers are out of order. Many of them have also faced a severe water shortage.

“We held a protest and knocked on every door but no one came forward to relieve our miseries,” said Arshad Ali, a resident of Mingora. “More than 50 electricity transformers are lying out of order and the officials of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) have turned a blind eye to the situation.

Ubaidullah, a resident from Saidu Sharif said, “Women have also taken to streets and protested against prolonged power outages in the district.”

Iqbal Hussain, another resident, took a swipe at Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam and held him responsible for the crisis.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2016.