PESHAWAR, April 14: Supply of power to various areas of the North Waziristan Agency was disconnected as tribesmen attacked the Mirali grid station on Friday.

The tribesmen started a protest movement against power meter installation campaign started by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco). They also pelted the grid station with stones which damaged equipment and furniture there.

Pesco chairman Brig Khalid Khan warned tribesmen that power meters would be installed in tribal agencies and adjacent Frontier regions at all costs. Any attempt at disrupting the campaign would result in disconnection of power supply to the areas, stated a Pesco press release.

He said power supply would remain suspended till the tribesmen paid for the damages caused to the grid station in Mirali.

Secretary Engineering FATA has been directed by the Pesco authorities to assess the damages and submit a report to the company at the earliest.

Wapda has started power meters installation drive in various tribal agencies to force the consumers to pay for the utility. Billions of rupees are outstanding against various tribes in the territory and they are protesting against the drive to recover arrears and installation of meters.

The campaign has also resulted in demonstrations in different parts of the Khyber Agency and other tribal areas.