HYDERABAD, May 5: The nationwide crisis fuelled by power shortage has started claiming human lives. A young married woman was killed and a boy injured in a crossfire which following a power breakdown in a shopping centre on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Saturday near the Hafiz Mubarak Ali Shah shopping centre within the jurisdiction of the City Police Station when two groups of shopkeepers exchanged fire.

The trouble began when some shopkeepers complained of power shortage for which a meeting of union’s office-bearers was held. As the matter could not be resolved, exchange of harsh words began between them as some wanted to observe a protest strike while others objected to it.

According to information a shopkeeper allegedly opened fire injuring a young boy Imran working in a shop. This created panic in the area. Soon afterwards some unidentified persons began firing in the air hitting a woman Saima at a beauty parlour located in one of the shops. Saima had come there as a wedding was to take place in her family.

A case has been registered at the City Police Station for causing injuries to Imran on the compliant of a shopkeeper while a murder case will be lodged on the compliant of Qadeer, the husband of the woman, after the autopsy. No arrests were made so far.

Shopkeepers have said the electricity controversy pertained to the installation of a transformer.

The Hesco officials were reported to have told the shopkeepers that since the property was owned by one person, Ameen Qadri, he should install the transformer. Qadir was not available for comments.

Police have been deployed in the area while shops stayed closed.