SWAT: Over 50 people were taken to hospital after they were injured in scuffles over petty issues on the first and second day of Ramazan in Swat.

The scuffles took place during daytime in markets and bazaars over small issues. Extreme hot weather and severe loadshedding were reportedly the major causes which fueled the fights.

“There were over 50 wounded in Saidu Teaching Hospital’s casualty ward last night. Unfortunately, absence of doctors and nursing staff made the situation worse. The wounded were lying here and there waiting for first aid,” Hassan Chattan, a social activist, told Dawn on Saturday. He said that many wounded brought before Iftar were waiting for treatment in the hospital. A resident, Saeedur Rehman, said that there were only two nurses to attend to the patients screaming with pain.

When contacted, MPA Fazal Hakim reached the hospital along the STH medical superintendent. However, family members and friends of the injured complained that they could not solve the problem of medical staff shortage.

Meanwhile, duration of the power loadshedding was extended to 18 hours in Swat, creating severe problems for the people.

“We did Iftar and Sehr in the darkness and also offered Taraveeh without electricity. We are surprised that the electricity disappeared in Ramazan when people needed it most,” Karim Khan, a resident of Mingora, said.

Residents of Saidu Sharif, Shagai and suburb areas staged a protest against prolonged power loadshedding. The protesters marched from Saidu Sharif and gathered in front of MPA Fazal Hakim’s house to record their protest. After assurance of the MPA, they dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2015

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