DADU, June 29: Hundreds of Hesco consumers staged demonstrations in Khairpur Nathan Shah, Dadu town and Bhan Syedabad against unscheduled load-shedding and detection bills on Wednesday. The protest demonstrations were held on the call of Jamait-i-Ulema Islam, JUP, Dadu district in which a large number of consumers staged a demonstration in Khairpur Nathan Shah for three hours.

They were led by the president JUP Dadu district, Hafiz Mohammad Amin Jamali and the Chairman Citizen Ittehad, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Haji Nabi Bux. The leaders said that citizens were experiencing unannounced load-shedding for six to seven hours almost daily.

They complained that Hesco officials of Khairpur Nathan Shah sub-division were issuing detection bills to consumers. They claimed that approximately 3000 air-conditioners were running illegally in K.N Shah in collusion with the Hesco officials.

They threatened that if the unannounced load-shedding and detection bills were not stopped within seven days, they would block the Indus Highway.

In Dadu town, around 600 consumers took out a procession. They marched on different roads of the town and staged demonstrations outside the SDO, Hesco office and the police station.

They protesting consumers were led by the JSQM leader, Syed Javed Shah and citizens, Tharoo Lund and Ghulam Haider Bhand.

Speaking on the occasion, they said that power supply to major parts of the town including Mazdoorabad, Railway road, Khudh Mohalla, Gheri Mohalla, Shahani Mohalla, remained suspended since last four days.

They said that Hesco was carrying out load-shedding for seven to eight hours in parts of Dadu daily and also issuing detection bills.

They complained that consumers were booked under different sections by the Hesco officials without any reason.

Later, the Hesco officials and consumers exchanged hot words which led to a clash.

The enraged consumers broke furniture and thrashed line man, Ghulam Hussain.

Line superintendent, Iqbal Leghari registered an FIR against 50 consumes at Dadu town police.

Police have arrested four of them including Ghulam Haider Bhand, Imdad, Yaseen Qambrani and Manzoor.

A large number of citizens staged demonstration in Bhan Syedabad to protest against the load-shedding.