LAKKI MARWAT, Jan 24: The Wapda Hydro-electric Labour Union on Tuesday stopped power supply to the Lakki Marwat district in protest against detention of two officials of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco). Additional District and Sessions Judge Jan Mohammad had detained Assistant Manager Masood Shah and Superintendent Rafiullah when they failed to restore the supply which had been cut-off on Monday night. The two were lodged in the judicial lock-up and released after two hours.

The two officials contacted the labour union leaders and discussed the matter with them. The union disconnected the supply to the entire district from 1pm on Tuesday as a mark of protest against the judge’s action.

Police arrested assistant line superintendent Sharif when he was disconnecting supply to some areas. The union said that the supply would not be restored until the judge apologized.

District naib nazim Qudratullah offered to mediate between Pesco officials and the judge and Pesco Superintending Engineer, Bannu circle, Saeed Afzal Wazir and Executive Engineer Lakki Ihsanullah also reached here to resolve the dispute.

Negotiations were going on on a suggestion that the union should restore the supply to common consumers and keep it discontinued to courts until the matter is resolved.