DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The people from different walks of life, especially activists of the opposition parties, on Monday staged a protest in Kulachi tehsil against the unavailability of drinking water, unannounced loadshedding, low voltage, and tripping of power supply.

They blocked the Kulachi Bypass Road to traffic holding placards and banners and shouting slogans against Wapda and local administration.

The protesters marched through Sar Bazar, Chuglia Bazar and other areas before gathering outside the office of the assistant commissioner.

They were led by former tehsil nazim Akbar Khan Gandapur, Sardar Khursheed Ahmad Khan Gandapur, Sheikh Ikramullah Khan, Faridoon Khan Gandapur, Ismail Khan Gandapur, Nematullah Khan Gandapur, Hizbullah Ustad and Abdul Rashid Khan.

The speakers complained about frequent power cuts during the hot summer season and said the electric supply was suspended after every hour. They also criticised the electric supply company over low voltage and frequent tripping and said those issues had caused a water crisis in Kulachi city.

The speakers said the non-payment of electricity bills had led to the closure of several tubewells.

They said if the TMA was unable to bear power expenses, solar energy should be used to run tubewells.

Ex-nazim Akbar Gandapur said Kulachi was hit by the worst water crisis in its history.

Politician Fareedoon Gandapur criticised assembly members from the area over indifference to the people’s misery.

The other speakers demanded that the authorities ask the in charge of the local grid station to adhere to loadshedding schedule or replace him with an efficient officer.

They also demanded the early replacement of power lines to address low voltage and frequent tripping issues.

Later, assistant commissioner Karamatullah Khan Marwat, TMO Chaudhry Amanullah Khan and Wapda SDO Zardad Khan met protesters and promised to convey their demands to the relevant authorities for action. The mob dispersed afterward.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2021