MANSEHRA, Jan 13: The people of Mansehra city and its adjoining areas are without potable water for last three weeks as the power transformer of Bothkhata water supply scheme, which was stolen on Dec 17, could not be reinstalled or recovered as yet.

'It is highly regrettable that the transformer of Bothkhata water supply scheme which was stolen by unknown thieves could not be recovered or reinstalled as yet causing severe shortage of water for the people of Mansehra,' complained Mohammad Ajmal of Channai area.

A group of the affected people headed by Mohammad Ajmal Khan told reporters that almost the entire city and its adjoining areas were without potable water for the last there consecutive weeks as what they said neither the police nor the tehsil municipal officer were bothered to address this critical issue.

The residents said the Mansehra TMA had lef t thousands of consumers at the mercy of police, which could not recover the transformer even after three weeks.

They said they had also met with the TMO many times but he failed to either install the new transformer or take up the issue with the provincial government.

FARE INCREASE: The people of different areas on Thursday took out a rally against unjustified raise in the fares on various routes.

The people of Dubgrain and Badra gathered at the DCO office after marching through different roads.

The protesters raised slogans against the government and demanded action against transporters who what they said were receiving double fares on various routes without any notification by Road Transport Authority (RTA).

Elders of different areas said the fare from Mansehra to Dubgrain and Badra according to RTA was Rs8 but the transporters were charging Rs15 per passenger.

They demanded of the DCO Mansehra Dr Amber Ali Khan to launch legal action against transporters. —Correspondent