SAHIWAL, Jan 8: Four people, including a Central Jail prisoner, lost their lives due to Hepatitis-C during the last 24 hours here. According to reports, Zainab (80) of Kamir Town, Sabir (30) of Chak 99/6-R and Mrs Siddique (40) of Chak 93/6-R were brought to hospital in unconscious state. However, they could not survive.

Similarly, prisoner Allah Ditta of the Central Jail shifted to hospital in deteriorated condition where he died as well.

All the deaths reportedly occurred because the victims could not afford the costly medicines.

STOLEN: Unknown thieves on Saturday night removed some 2,000 metres of electricity wire from poles near Chak 112/9-L plunging the village and other localities into complete darkness.

A Mepco spokesman said that this was the 33rd incident of electricity wire theft in the Sahiwal district. As of now, thieves had stolen away electricity wire of more than Rs2 million but the police failed to arrest any accused, he said.

However, police have registered a case.

Meanwhile, around 614 telephones were dead on Saturday night when thieves removed PTCL cable on Harappa Road in Chaks 96/6-R and 98/6-R. Despite the passage of some 36 hours, PTCL authorities failed to restore connections.