LANDI KOTAL, Aug 26: The Water and Power Development Authority on Monday disconnected power supply to Zakakhel and Ali Masjid areas in Khyber Agency after the expiry of deadline for the installation of electricity meters in the area.

Electricity from the 132KV Landi Kotal grid station was suspended to its Khyber and Ali Masjid feeders at about 2.50pm. Violent protests were witnessed and Peshawar-Landi Kotal highway was blocked for more than 10 hours when power supply to the area was disconnected on August 12.

But this time as the tribesmen refrained from blocking the road, local elder were engaged in marathon negotiation with other tribal clans to evolve a joint strategy. This time it was the administration turn to block road at Charwazgai so that people from Shinwari area could not reach the venue of protest meeting at Sultankhel.

Those who wanted to go to Peshawar and Jamrud faced great difficulties as they had to take an alternative rout through Shalman and Malagori, double than the Peshawar-Landi Kotal road.

Political Administration of Landi Kotal in a meeting with Zakakhel elder on Sunday made it clear that this time they would not tolerate road blockade or any other violent protest. Zakakhel elder gave an assurance to the administration that no violent tactic would be applied, but they stressed upon the government that they would not agree to the installation of electricity meters at their residences.

Malik Abdul Haleem made it clear to the administration that they cannot afford to buy electricity and thus would prefer to live without electricity. He said that tribesmen had no other alternate means of energy and thus they rely on heavy use of electricity. If the government assure natural gas supply to the tribal areas and royalty of Warsak Dam is provided to them, they can consider meter installation, he added.

Reliable sources told Dawn that a representative jirga of Zakakhel, Kukikhel and Shinwari elders will be held on Tuesday to evolve a concrete strategy over the meter installation issue.

The source said that a joint committee was likely to be formed for further contacts with other tribal agencies.

The administration this time made elaborate arrangements to tackle any untoward incident. Heavy contingents of Khasadar force and Frontier constabulary were deployed at the Landi Kotal grid station, Agency Head Quarter hospital, Army camp, Landi Kotal bazaar and all along the Landi Kotal-Jamrud road. The Landi Kotal Political Tehsildar has directed all the khasadars to report to their duties.