BAJAUR: Residents of Mamond tehsil here on Wednesday took to the roads against suspension of electricity in the region for over a week.

Residents of Shagoo, Sewai, Shinkooti, Jani Shah and Baramkazi areas took part in the demonstration held in Shagoo town. The protesters chanted slogans against officials of Tribal Electric Supply Company (Tesco).

JUI-F Bajaur general secretary Maulana Mohammad Laiq, newly-elected village council chairman Hussain Khan and others addressed the protesters and slammed the Tesco officials for the prolonged power suspension.

The protesters said their localities had been without electricity supply for last eight days. They said it was not the first time their areas had experienced electricity blackout as they suffered long periods of power suspension throughout the winter season.

The demonstrators also lashed out at PTI MNA Gul Zafar Khan and JI MPA Sirajuddin Khan for not taking up the issue with the relevant authorities.

STONE CRUSHING PLANTS SEALED: The authorities on Wednesday sealed five stone crushing plants for operating illegally and arrested their owners.

A team of district administration officials accompanied by the policemen sealed the plants operating in different areas of Khar tehsil, according to a statement.

It said five owners were arrested on the expiry of a weeklong deadline issued by the district administration for them to close down the crushing plants.

The administration through notices had directed the arms dealers, owners of filling stations, stone crushing plants, marble factories, private hospitals, maternity homes and LPG suppliers across the district to legalise their businesses within a week or face legal action. Sources in the district administration told Dawn on Wednesday that while some owners had started getting their businesses legalised, a few others failed to do so, thus inviting the action.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2022