September 15, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 21, 1427

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NAWABSHAH, Sept 14: People of the Mullah Sandh village, taluka Sakrand, observed a token hunger strike in front of the local press club on Thursday in protest against Hesco.

They were demanding replacement of a transformer which they said had broken down three months ago.

Leaders of the protesters Pir Shahabuddin, Pir Mazhar, Ghulam Ali Panhwar, Ali Gul Keerio and Mohammad Panhwar said the transformer had developed some fault due to heavy rains, but despite repeated requests, Hesco had failed to replace it.

They said their village of 3,000 people was about 300 years old. Their lives had become miserable without electricity, they said.

They claimed that Hesco officials had taken Rs6,000 cash and promised to replace the transformer, but failed to fulfil their pledge. Sometime they said that the transformer was arriving from Hyderabad while sometime from Rohri or Sukkur, the villagers said.

They said there was no electricity, but they were receiving bills regularly and asked to deposit the amount.

They demanded of the Hesco chief to ensure replacement of transformer and waive their bills.

They threatened to block the road if their problem was not resolved immediately.