Power dispute: 7 dead in Lower Dir over power connection row

Rift over a microhydel power station became full-fledged conflict.

PESHAWAR:

At least seven people were killed and four others injured over a conflict caused by electricity connections in the Darbando Darra area of Lower Dir District on Wednesday.

A Lower Dir police official told The Express Tribune that the incident took place over a connection emerging from the Microhydel power station in the Upper Dir district. He said that the station was installed by a Ameer Mohammad whereas a person from another family, Mohammad Ismail, tried to connect to it. A full-fledged conflict was caused when the owners disconnected it.

The official said that four of one family were killed while three from the other family died. He said the local police had registered a case and investigations had started.

A local told The Express Tribune that there was a perpetual rift between the two families and the jirga system, prevalent in the area, was not involved. Verbal exchange eventually turned into a violent clash, resulting in the casualties and injuries.

The local also said that three of Mohammad’s family members were killed, namely Mohammad Saeed, Umar Gul and Gul Mohammad, whereas Mohammad and Hayat Khan were injured.

From the other family, Bahadar Khan was killed along with his wife, daughter and daughter-in-law, while Ismail Khan was critically injured. The injured were taken to the Lower Dir hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2011.