GUJRANWALA, June 22: Small farmers of Wahando, Naushera Virkan, Alipur Chattha and Kamoki have said they were not getting canal water according to their requirements.
Led by Chaudhry Tufail, a delegation of farmers informed District Nazim Fiaz Ahmad Chattha and Naib Nazim Haji Gohar Zaman on Sunday that the influential landlords were stealing canal water with the connivance of irrigation department officials.
They said complaints in this regard had been lodged with irrigation department high-ups but no action had been taken so far.
They said that if immediate measures were not taken to stop the water theft, small farmers would not be able to sow paddy on time and suffer heavy financial loss.
The Nazim assured the delegation that those responsible for canal water theft would be taken to task after an inquiry. Steps would be taken to ensure provision of water to small farmers according to their requirements.
475 POs HELD: The district police claimed to have arrested 475 proclaimed offenders and two dozen gangs of inter-district dacoits and robbers during the last fortnight.
Presiding over a crime meeting here on Sunday, DPO Saud Aziz said that most of the POs were involved in cases of murder, dacoity, kidnap for ransom and other heinous crime. He said police also recovered a huge quantity of illicit arms and looted goods from their possession.
He said the campaign against criminals was launched throughout the range on the directives of DIG Malik Muhammad Iqbal.
The DPO said that Wazirabad circle police stood on top in the range by arresting 28 POs and half a dozen gangs of dacoits and robbers. He recommended cash prize and commendation certificates for the members of raiding teams.
REJECTED: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal MNA Maulana Qazi Hamidullah claimed on Sunday that he had rejected the government offer of ambassadorship in Kuwait, Rs80 million in cash and a Land Cruiser for changing his loyalty.