February 9, 2002	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 25, 1422

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BAJAUR, Feb 8: Tribesmen observed strike on the second consecutive day against the installation of electricity meters in various  parts of Bajaur Agency on Friday. The  political authorities arrested eight shopkeepers in Nawagai who were protesting against the installation of meters.

Various political and social organisations of the Agency held protest demonstrations in Nawagai, a major business centre of the Agency and other areas to lodge their protest against the decision.

In Nawagai, local tribesmen and shopkeepers held a protest meeting. On this occasion speakers criticized the political authorities for the installation of electricity  meters without taking the local  people  into confidence. The meeting, through a resolution, asked the government to restore flat rate system in the Agency and release 30 shopkeepers who were arrested on Thursday during an scuffle with the Khasaadar force.

Meanwhile, Assistance Political Agent (APA) told newsmen that the administration would install meters in the Agency to ensure the recovery of power charges. He said on  Friday the administration had installed meters in  60 commercial units of the Agency and the government would take stern action violators.