MULTAN: Four workers of the Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) were allegedly injured during a clash with the residents of Gulberg Colony of Multan on Friday.

In an application submitted with the New Multan Police Station by the Wasa staff, arm of a sewerman Muhammad Riaz, was fractured in the clash while a sub-engineer, Ahmed Raza Hashmi, and two other employees, Amjad and Mushtaq, were also injured.

They alleged that the work to drain out the sewage was under way when 10 residents of Gulberg Colony, including Ahsan Ghauri, attacked the Wasa team.

However, the residents of the area alleged that despite several calls Wasa did turn up to rectify a fault line, which was causing hardships for them. They said when the Wasa team reached the site, it also misbehaved and clashed with the people.

Meanwhile, Wasa CBA Employees Union threatened to observe a strike if the attackers were not arrested.

Wasa Managing Director Rao Qasim condemned the incident and assured all kind of assistance to the injured sewerman, Riaz. He said Wasa staff working round the clock to serve the people did not deserve such a treatment.

“Another sewerman, Hafiz Amir, was tortured before Eid in Sharifpura. Strict action will be taken against the people who took law into their hands and tortured the Wasa staff,” he said.

Mr Qasim made it clear there were a number of issues in connection with the drainage of water due to rusty old sewerage of the city.

“Delay is also possible in addressing any complaint in any area but it does not mean that the Wasa staff be subjected to torture,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2019