Left in the dark: Bannu, DI Khan villagers take to the streets after power cut

Utility companies pull the plug, accusing locals of not paying their bills.

BANNU/ DI KHAN:

Around 500 people from 86 villages gathered in Bannu Cantonment on Saturday to protest against the four-day-long suspension of electricity to their villages.

The Bannu Cantonment DSP revealed the protesters were from villages on the outskirts of Bannu where Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) officials had disconnected the power supply over allegations of non-payment of electricity bills. The DSP accused the alleged defaulters of owing the state millions of rupees.

He said multiple raids were conducted in the villages by Pesco officials in collaboration with the police and FIRs were registered against debtors, however, the latest step comes in the wake of villagers according protection to the defaulters.

The police official confirmed around 500 protesters belonging to Sokari, Mamash Khel, Daud Shah, Momand Khel, Patak Khel and Amandi were led by Malik Mir Shamat Khan, Malik Shoaib Khan and Malik Sherbaz Khan to Bannu Cantonment where they gathered at Dosarak.

Malik Sherbaz Khan addressed the demonstration, claiming villagers were deprived of their rights by the government when it turned off the power supply.

According to protocol, he claimed, the villagers who are tribesmen, should be charged accordingly and that their area comes under the jurisdiction of FR Bakka Khel. Sherbaz insisted most people in the area were paying their bills regularly, but even then, power to all 86 villages was disconnected.

Issuing an ultimatum to authorities, Malik warned while Saturday’s protest remained peaceful, things will take a violent turn if the power supply was not restored by Sunday morning; the district and provincial governments will be held responsible.

Despite multiple attempts, no Pesco official was available for comment.

Power cut in DI Khan

Hundreds of protesters from Galloti and Shahzada villages of DI Khan district blocked DI Khan-Peshawar Road near Galloti toll plaza in a demonstration against Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) for cutting their power supply.

Enraged villagers blocked the road on Saturday using tree branches and cars. Protesters chanted slogans against Wapda, and the district and provincial governments.

Iqbal Khan, a resident of Galloti and a participant at the protest, told The Express Tribune residents demand the authorities reconnect the power supply as a lack of electricity is hindering their normal routine. Khan claimed they, the villagers, have never refused to pay their bills but the power authority imposed unjust fines on them.

Villagers at the protest maintained the absence of electricity has caused a shortage of drinking water.

The electricity supply was shutdown in two villages after authorities accused residents of not paying bills. It has been two days since the villages last had electricity.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2014.