Taking to the streets: Traders in DI Khan protest against faulty overhead cables

Rickshaw driver died after electric wires fell on his vehicle

DI KHAN: Traders held a protest in DI Khan on Sunday against Water and Power Development Authority’s (Wapda) failure to repair faulty overhead electric cables.

The demonstration was triggered by the death of Sahib Jan, a rickshaw driver, a day earlier after an overhead cable fell on his vehicle. Jan died as a result.

Protesters gathered in Muslim Bazaar, Chugalla, closed down shops in the area and shouted slogans against Wapda for turning a blind eye to the matter. They urged the police to register an FIR against the authority for failing to repair the cables and putting the lives of residents in danger.

Addressing protesters, Raja Akhtar Ali, one of the leaders of the traders’ community, said they had repeatedly complained to Wapda about repairing the electric wires.

“Most of the overhead electric cables are old and in desperate need of repair,” Ali said. “They pose a major threat to us. Unfortunately, our complaints have fallen on deaf ears.”

Representatives of the Anjuman-e-Tajaran in DI Khan and Markazi Tajar Ittehad as well as residents participated in the protest. Later in the day, the crowd dispersed after police arrived at the site and assured them action would be taken against Wapda.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, residents said the electric wires in the area had fallen to the ground thrice before. However, no casualties were reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2015.