KARACHI, June 3: The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) identified 146 connections stealing electricity and made 26 arrests from different areas of the city during the first day of the vigorous campaign launched against power theft, a KESC spokesman said on Tuesday.

He said about 3.6 million units of electricity worth Rs18 million per month was being stolen from the three identified feeders by the consumers. The rampant theft on these feeders was also the cause of regular breakdowns disturbing the regular bill paying consumers.

After strategic planning and resource mobilization, as many as 17 teams initiated the action late Monday evening in Baldia, North Karachi and Korangi towns. At least 384 connections were checked during the campaign, out of which 146 were disconnected for stealing electricity.

Out of total 146 cases, 26 male residents stealing electrcity were arrested while no arrest was made from 120 houses, as no male resident was present there, the spokesman added.

However, on the personal surety of the elected representatives of the respective areas and payment of the theft detection bills the arrested persons were released from the KESC Police Station. — PPI