August 31, 2002	Saturday	Karachi, Jamadi-us-Saani 21, 1423

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LANDI KOTAL, Aug 30: Armed tribesmen have taken up positions on hilltops surrounding the military cantonment in Landi Kotal tehsil of the tribal Khyber agency as the government-tribesmen stand-off over installation of electricity meters entered fourth day on Friday.

The tribesmen have also disrupted electricity supply to the entire Landi Kotal subdivision of Khyber agency to protest the severing of power supply to the Zakhakhel tribal area.

Amid the continuing stand-off, traffic on the international Torkham-Peshawar highway that connects Pakistan and Afghanistan also remained suspended.

The highway was blocked on Wednesday to protest the disconnection of electricity supply to some areas of the subdivision by Wapda over the tribesmen’s refusal to install meters at their homes.

The power supply was disrupted at the Nikkikhel area of Zakhakhel tribe following a decision by a tribal jirga comprising the elders of Zakhakhel, Shinwari, Shalmani and Malagori tribes.

The jirga had given the deadline of Thursday to the Wapda authorities to restore the power supply to all areas of the subdivision and abandon the drive of meter installation.

The jirga, however, continued its deliberations with the authorities on Friday at Sultankhel in the Afridi Zakhakhel area to find a solution to the problem, restraining its fellow tribesmen not to shoot unless a decision was reached.

The law enforcement agencies have blocked the road at Darwazgai and Parangsam areas to pressure the tribesmen. The tribal people say they would cut off ration supplies to the military cantonment if the deadlock continued.

However, the law enforcers stayed away from patrolling the road for fear of attacks. The tribesmen, on the other hand, exhorted the people to stand up for their rights. Black flags have been hoisted on rooftops and vehicles as mark of protest against the disruption of power supply.

The Wapda says the federally administered tribal areas owe to it Rs14 billion in arrears, with the bill mounting with each passing month.

The tribal regions continued to pay electricity dues on a flat rate till Wapda enforced the normal tariff recently and demanded that tribal consumers install meters. The move to install meters in other tribal agencies has met with similar stiff resistance.

The FC and Khasadar forces blocked the road at two points, diverting the traffic to the Malagori route to reach Torkham.

The entire area of Landi Kotal, including the army camp, government offices and hospital, was without electricity at the time of filing of this report as the officials claimed they were in touch with the elders to control the situation.

Peshawar Bureau adds: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees on Friday suspended voluntary repatriation operation of Afghan refugees for indefinite period in view of the government-tribesmen stand-off.

Officials said the UN refugee agency had formally suspended verification of returnees in Takhta Baig, Khyber Agency due to the prevailing tension in the agency, bordering Afghanistan.