March 28, 2003	Friday	Muharram 24, 1424

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LARKANA, March 27: Hundreds of residents of Dokri town took out a procession on Thursday to protest against excessive power bills and frequent load-sheddings in the area.

On the call of trade organizations, strike was observed in the town.

The protesters marched through the main roads of the town and staged a sit-in outside the local Wapda office.

Students also boycotted their classes and joined the protesters who were raising slogans against Wapda. They also burnt tyres and blocked the road.

They said power supply to the town remained disconnected for 10 to 12 hours daily and despite repeated requests, Wapda authorities had taken no action.

The protesters remained at the Haider Chowk for three hours and demanded the transfer of the SDO of Dokri and an end to long power shutdowns.

The executive engineer, Hesco, Habibur Rehman Shaikh, along with other officials concerned, arrived at the scene and held negotiations with the protestors.

The protest was called off after the residents were assured by the Hesco officials that the SDO would be transferred, errors in bills would be rectified and uninterrupted power supply to the town would be ensured.

HOSTAGE RETURNS: A man who was kidnapped in February in the jurisdiction of the Ratodero police station returned home on Thursday.

The man, Mohammad Uris Abro, was kidnapped in Miani Aachar village by bandit Bagoo Jatoi.