LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Dec 4: The local political administration and Wapda officials moved on Monday to sever illegal power supply connections acquired by Afghans residing in the area to ease the burden on the local grid station.

Thousands of Afghan residents had acquired illegal power connections over the past decades. Most of them live in the Bacha Mena area, near the Torkham Afghan border. Wapda officials had to resort to excessive load shedding in Landi Kotal because of the unauthorised use of electricity.

The decision to disconnect illegal power connections was taken after a local jirga, comprising tribal elders and members of the Agency Council approved the move. Local utility officials also disconnected power supply to the Jhandakhel area.

POPPY BAN: The Assistant Political Agent of Landi Kotal on Monday issued arrest warrants against people cultivating poppy on their lands. Respective tehsildars were ordered to proceed against people violating the ban on poppy cultivation.