SHANGLA: Residents of Alpuri, Lilonai and adjoining villages blocked the Bisham-Swat Road on Tuesday in protest excessive and unscheduled electricity loadshedding.

Addressing the protesters, local Waqif Shah Advocate said Peshawar Electric Supply Company had increased loadshedding timings in Shangla since mercury went up. He said the Pesco’s Alpuri office observed over 18 hours of loadshedding in the hot and humid weather.

Ghulamullah, another local, said low voltage had damaged electric appliances in some houses in his village in Lilonai. He said people could not afford buying generators to keep power supply running.

He said the locals had repeatedly informed the local administration about long power suspensions, but to no avail.

The two-hour-long blockade of Bisham-Swat Road caused hardship to commuters.

In another development, residents on Tuesday held a rally in Bisham Bazaar to remember the martyred police personnel.

Elders, traders, civil society activists and police officials took part in the rally, which began from the local police station and culminated at the Bisham Chowk, where the participants offered Fateha for the departed souls.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2021