NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, Aug 30: Hundreds of the town residents, businessmen, students and the PPP-SB activists staged a big rally against frequent power breakdowns in Phul on Thursday.

The protesters staged a sit-in and burnt tyres at the main roundabout of the town and blocked roads leading to Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze, Darya Khan Mari and Padidan.

A shutter down strike was also observed and shops remained closed till noon.

The schools also remained closed and several students participated in the rally and sit-in.

The protesters complained that they were facing eight to ten hours unannounced loadshedding daily for many days and despite complaints to the area SDO, Hesco, and other officials, there was no response.

The Naushahro Feroze police reached the spot and tried to disperse the protesters but failed.

The senior line superintendent, Hesco, also reached there and tried to hold talks with but he also failed as the protesters demanded that the area executive engineer or SDO, Hesco, should come to offer an assurance.

Later, Mohammad Yaqoob Solangi, divisional president, Wapda Hydro Electric Labour Union, reached there and informed that the executive engineer and the SDO were out of station. He assured the protesters that no unannounced loadshedding would take place in future.

On this assurance, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

RICKSHAW DRIVERS: Several rickshaw drivers staged a rally opposite taluka Nazim office, Kandiaro, on Thursday.

They complained that they were facing problems due to the lack of a separate stop for rickshaws.

The protesters dispersed on the assurance of the taluka Nazim that a separate stop for them would be provided soon.

Meanwhile, rickshaw drivers of Moro also took out a rally against the starters outside the local press club.

They complained that the starters, Khuda Bukhsh Chand and Jumman Shah, were creating problems for them and were demanding bribe for giving number.