QUETTA, April 19: The district coordination officer of Dera Bugti, Mr Abdul Samad Lasi, has said that the Dera Bugti town is littered with landmines and return of the local population at this stage is quite dangerous.

Talking to newsmen from Dear Bugti on phone, he said that the authorities concerned were defusing the mines planted in around Dera Bugti. But the work would take time, he said, adding that miscreants had also blown up power lines and water pipelines in the township and at present there was no water and power supply to the town. He said that work on repairing water pipes and power lines has started and water and power supply would be restored soon.

He said that the local administration was providing electricity to the government colony through generators for employees who had returned to Dera Bugti.

He said that power supply from generators to the entire township was not possible and, therefore, the administration was asking people not to return to their homes now.

Mr Lasi said that a large number of people had already returned to the outskirts of the town and they would be brought to Dera Bugti town soon after restoration of water and power supply.

He said that the local administration was supplying water through tankers in Sui because many water pipelines had been destroyed in the area. He said that a comprehensive plan had been was prepared for rehabilitating of the displaced people and it would be implemented soon.