MIRAMSHAH, Oct 31: Electric supply to North Waziristan Agency has been suspended for three days to the misery of locals.

The region plunged into darkness after Pathakkhel tribesmen of Frontier Region Bannu placed steel chains on the main 132,000kv power transmission line, suspending electric supply.

Local tribesmen told Dawn that the continued power suspension had caused a severe shortage of drinking water in the region. They protested the act of Pathakkhel tribe and urged the government to ensure smooth supply of electricity to the region.

The tribesmen said five armed men of Pathakkhel tribe had been guarding the place, where steel chains had been placed on the main transmission line, but neither the Bannu administration nor the political administration of North Waziristan had moved against them to restore electric supply to the region.

An official of the Bakkakhel police station told reporters that several people had been arrested during a crackdown on Pathakkhel tribe for violating the law and challenging the government’s writ.

He said a massive operation against outlaws in the area had been planned.

Pathakkhel and Hemandkhel tribes have a dispute over electric supply and many locals fear violence if the matter is not resolved without delay.

Local tribesmen have demanded that the government step in and resolve the dispute to prevent bloodshed.

Meanwhile, political agent of North Waziristan Siraj Ahmed Khan on Wednesday ordered imposition of curfew in different areas of the agency from 6:00am to an indefinite period.

He said educational institutions, government offices and business centres in the said areas would remain closed due to the curfew.