The city dwellers took to the streets raising slogans against the TMO and demanding restoration of water supply. “We are fed up now as the water supply could not be restored during the last two weeks despite repeated requests made to the TMO. The heaps of garbage may cause outbreak of diseases due to lack of sanitation,” stated Raja Ayaz, who was leading the rally.

Raja Ayaz, Malik Fareed and others said the TMA employees were not discharging responsibilities and as a result the citizens were deprived of civic amenities. The protesters besieged the TMA offices but TMO Afsar Khan called the police. The officers and other staff remained inside offices till the police contingent reached the spot.

The crowd dispersed peacefully in the presence of heavy contingent of police when the TMO announced that water supply would be restored on Tuesday and other civic facilities provided to the residents without soon.

When contacted, Afsar Khan said there was shortage of water in Mansehra because of the hot weather.He quoted experts as saying that underground water level in Mansehra had dropped by almost 120 feet and the TMA was trying its level best to ensure availability of water to the residents.

He said that even if water was available somewhere, the prolonged power loadshedding was a hurdle in its supply and pumping.The official said the TMA officials were now trying to resolve the garbage disposal issue and were looking for an appropriate place to be used as the dumping ground.