LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), June 24: Tribesmen on Friday prevented health teams from carrying out the polio vaccination campaign in a number of villages here. The tribesmen hailing from Sultankhel, Walikhel, Meekkhel, Loi Shalman and other localities were protesting against excessive load-shedding, low voltage and severe shortage of drinking water in their areas.

The tribesmen blocked the road and refused to allow health teams to carry out an ongoing anti-polio campaign in the villages.

Groups of tribesmen brandishing modern weapons had been deputed at entry points of these villages to stop the polio mobile teams from visiting different areas.

The people of Landi Kotal, Bara and Jamrud tehils of the tribal agency are facing a severe shortage of drinking water. The shortage is being blamed on low voltage and frequent load-shedding.

Over the past three days, protests against the apathy of the political administration and the Tribal Electric Supply Company (Tesco) have become shriller. Processions have been taken out and roads have been blocked in all the three tehsils.

Rallies will also be organized on Saturday in different areas of the agency.