VEHARI, Dec 8: Twenty villages in Gaggo, Burewala, are without electricity as unidentified thieves have stolen wires three days ago. Residents of these villages told this correspondent on Wednesday that Mepco staff paid no attention to their complaints.

They said wires were stolen on Dec 6 and almost 70 per cent area which was getting electricity from Tufail Shaheed feeder were in dark. They said they have no water to drink and cook meals.

When contacted, Burewala grid station incharge Mushtaq Ahmad said electricity would be restored in two days. More than 500 metres wire was stolen from the 11-KV line. He claimed that police have not yet registered an FIR. Installation of wires would start after registration of a case, he added.

The line staff said five factories and two oil mills also affected due to power suspension. This is the second incident of theft of wire during the last week. The first incident occurred in Machiwal from where thieves stolen more than 2,500 metres wire from main 11-KV line. Police have failed to trace the culprits till the filing this report.