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SUKKUR, March 9: An armed encounter between police and bandits near Rohri on Wednesday left five people from both sides injured. Reports reaching here said that a milkman informed police at Arore checkpoint that armed bandits were trying to snatch a motorcycle at gunpoint.
Police constable Nawab rushed to the scene where bandits opened fire at his team, which resulted in bullet injuries to the constable and motorcyclist Gulzar Bhatti. The police party and villagers returned fire and three bandits, two of whom were identified as Aijaz Jatoi and Murtaza Mahar, were injured.
The three were taken into police custody. During the exchange of fire, other accomplices of bandits fled with the snatched motorcycle. The injured have been shifted to the Civil Hospital Sukkur.
LOADSHEDDING: Undeclared load-shedding in Sukkur and adjoining areas by Hesco is causing hardship to the people. The utility had started its load management in November 2004 which continues to this day. The eight to 12 hour load-shedding was badly affecting business and industrial activities.
People complain that they are already troubled by a collapse of drainage system and shortage of drinking water and this problem has added to their woes. Due to long hours of power outage, the drainage system remains suspended, they point out.
The areas most affected by power load-shedding include Frere Road, Nishtar Road, Wholesale Cloth Market, Shahi Bazaar, Clock Tower, Minara Road, Station Road and Gharibabad. The Hesco officials claim that the load-shedding is being carried out for maintenance work but people counter this claim by saying "this is designed to minimize line losses".
Consumers say they are being subjected to excessive billing "to make amends for the power theft". They claim that electricity theft is being done in connivance with Hesco officials.
