BATTAGRAM: People took to the streets here on Tuesday against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company and district administration for disconnecting electricity supply to their villages on the pretext of action against power thieves and defaulters.

Residents of Joze, Rajmera, Khadlo and Habib Banda villages held a protest rally through the main bazaar and reached the Khatmi Nabuwat Chowk, where they blocked the Karakoram Highway for over four hours.

The protesters were chanting slogans against the district administration and Pesco officials. They said the district administration and Pesco officials during action against those using electricity illegally and power defaulters, suspended electricity to more than five villages, where consumers regularly paid their bills.

They said Pesco officials should not penalise those who were using electricity legally in the garb of cracking down on power thieves and defaulters.

They claimed the power company officials punished the whole locality for a small number of defaulters or power stealers.

The protesters dispersed after the district administration officials assured them that power supply to their villages would be restored.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2023