LAKKI MARWAT, Aug 18: Shopkeepers on Thursday observed a partial strike against the negligence of Lakki town administration. Over 100 shopkeepers got infuriated when a driver Asmatullah fell into an open manhole in Mela Mandi locality. The driver’s legs were fractured and an iron rod was found pierced into his body.

The protesters closed their shops and business centres and took out a protest procession from Mela Mandi led by the president of the All Shopkeepers Union, Haji Abdur Rahim Khan Khoidadkhel.

The protesters marched through different bazaars and turned into a rally at Lorry Adda where the speakers criticized the Tehsil Municipal Administration for not paying attention to civic problems.

“Open manholes have become a threat to the lives of people, let alone garbage dumps and absence of street lights,” the protesters said and demanded that higher authorities should take notice of the TMA negligence.

Later, a four-member delegation of the protestors held talks with DCO Kifayatullah Khan and apprised him about the problems of the Lakki city and the traders community. The official said the TMA had been strictly directed to cover open manholes and redress other problems of the people.