KHAIRPUR, Feb 15: A Hesco lineman, Khair Mohammad Mallah, was injured on Saturday in a clash between the staff of the Hesco, Luqman and the residents of the Serai Ghanwar Khan Mohalla over installation of electric metres.

The injured lineman, has been admitted to the Civil Hospital, Khairpur.

Following the incident, the chairman of the Hesco union of Khairpur district, Wali Mohammad Leghari told newsmen that the Hesco staff had suspended work in protest in Khairpur, Priyaloi, Pir-Jo-Goth and Luqman.

Mr Leghari said that the Hesco staff would continue their protest and, if necessary, suspend electric supply to their respective areas if an FIR was not registered against the persons responsible for the incident.

He accused the police of being reluctant in registering a case against those responsible for injuring the lineman.

When contacted by this correspondent, the engineer, Hesco, Khairpur division, said that he had visited the area a day ago.

He said that the Hesco staff had detected a lot of illegal direct connections in the area, adding that the incident was sparked after the Hesco staff began installing electric metres there.