SANGHAR, June 10: A large number of people of Khan Mohammad Khaskheli, Misri Qambrani and Gulan Baladi villages staged a sit-in in Jhol town on Friday to protest against disconnection of power supply and inflated bills by Hesco.

The villagers carrying sticks and clubs reached the Hesco office in the town and blocked the Sanghar-Shahdadpur road by burning tyres.

Ayub Khaskheli, Owais Khaskheli and Ali Bux Channar led the protesters.

They said the power supply to their villages had been disconnected due to non-payment by a few consumers.

They alleged that inflated bills were sent to consumers who hardly have a bulb and a fan in their homes.

They said when they contacted Hesco office, their bills were not rectified on one pretext or the other. Police tried to persuade the protesters to open the road but failed.

TPO Riaz Soomro reached the spot and persuaded the protesters for negotiations with Hesco officials at the TPO office.

Hesco executive engineer Maqbool Ahmed, SDO and line superintendent participated from the Hesco side and three persons participated from the villagers’ side.

It was decided in the meeting that Hesco would restore power supply to villagers and cases of defaulters would be dealt with individually.

The meeting decided that Hesco would correct disputed bills and facilitate villagers to pay arrears in instalments.