BASRA, Iraq, June 21 (UPI) -- Iraqi residents in the southern port city of Basra protested Monday following a shooting incident during energy demonstrations, officials said.
Iraqi police during the weekend opened fire on demonstrators protesting against power shortages in Basra. One person was killed in the incident, the BBC reports.
Demonstrators marched during the weekend demanding better services for electricity. Security forces responded with gunfire after protesters threw stones at government buildings.
Residents in parts of Basra say they have about 6 hours of electricity each day.
Security officials said Monday that protesters had organized a sit-in at the building housing the provincial administration in Basra. They were demonstrating against the weekend shooting, the Voices of Iraq news agency reports.
Police blocked off parts of the area to prevent the demonstrations from escalating, VOI added.
