HYDERABAD: A team of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) came under attack when it disconnected illegal connections, removed cables and stopped power theft in Old Wahdat Colony, Qasimabad, here on Wednesday.

Talking to Dawn, Hesco Qasimabad head executive engineer (XEN) Gulzar Ahmed Dasti said he and his subordinates remained unhurt when three to four sturdy men led by an alleged power thief, Mehran Shah, attacked them.

They also abused the team and issued death threats. The attackers were “controlled” by some other people.

The XEN said he had earlier issued several warnings to the alleged thieves and admonished them not to steal electricity through illegal connections, but in vain.

On Wednesday, he visited the site and ordered officials to remove the illegal connections taken from a sewage pumping station of the area. He said the accused had been supplying power to 20-25 houses on some false pretexts.

An FIR was lodged with Qasimabad police station by the Hesco team against the accused, he said.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2020