HYDERABAD, Oct 26: Around 150 residents, including women and children, of unit-11 and unit-8, Latifabad, took to streets and smashed windowpanes of a vehicle of Hesco here on Friday.

They were protesting against the installation of crystal meters and issuance of detection bills.

The protesters, majority of whom belonged to Khawaja Colony, unit no-8, Latifabad, also smashed crystal meters in their areas.

The Nazim of Latifabad taluka, Abdul Jabbar Khan, rushed to the spot and held negotiations with the protesters, persuading them to call off their protest.

He also held talks with the executive engineer at the Customer Service Centre, Auto Bhan Road.

The executive engineer, after discussion with the taluka Nazim, told the protesters it was decided to conduct a survey in the area about detection bills and crystal meters.

The taluka Nazim told the protesters the notification regarding appointment of the committee that would conduct the survey would be issued by Saturday.

Following this assurance, the protest was called off.

The residents have also issued a hand bill against the installation of crystal meters in their area.

The hand bill said crystal meters were being installed despite the fact Wapda had increased the tariff of electricity by 200 per cent.

It appealed to the people to launch a joint struggle against crystal meters.