01 June 2004	Tuesday	12 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

HYDERABAD, May 31: A 30 feet wide breach occurred in Naseer Canal and gushing water inundated farmland and villages in the Tando Allahyar area on Monday. The irrigation officials confirmed that breach occurred at RD-127 near Nindo regulator.

They said that the superintending engineer, executive engineer and other officials of the irrigation department had rushed to the spot and it was expected that breach would soon be plugged. Residents of nearby villages also rushed to the spot to plug the breach on their own using sand bags and wood.

WATER SHORTAGE: The residents of union council-5, City taluka, held a demonstration outside the press club here on Monday to protest against water shortage in their area for the past several months.

Led by councillor Iqbal Arain and others, the protesters said that since last October they had not received full supply of water as the main line supplying water to their area had been choked.

They said that despite their repeated complaints and visits to the Wasa authorities, their problem had remained unresolved. They stated that people of their area were facing hardships and school going children were fetching water from other places. They appealed to the authorities to solve their problem.

CONCERN EXPRESSED: The president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N labour wing, Sindh, Afzal Gujjar, has expressed concern over water shortage before Kharif season in the province.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said that even before commencement of Kharif season, shortage of water for drinking and agricultural purposes was being witnessed to a great extent. He added that in April and May, 49 to 57 per cent water shortage was noted in Sindh.

He criticized those who had staged a rally in Lahore in support of the Kalabagh dam and reminded them that the project had been rejected by three provincial assemblies. He questioned as to why 46,000 cusecs of water of Kotri barrage's share was not being released and said that it indicated that the water had been stored in dams for Punjab.

THREE ARRESTED: The Sakhipir police on Sunday arrested three alleged robbers and recovered looted jewellery from their possession. Those arrested were Imran Qureshi, Tanveer Qureshi and Imran. Tanveer and Imran were said to be possessing two TT pistols.

According to police, the three men had committed a robbery in the house of Abdul Rehman Qureshi on April 15 and looted 10 Tolas of Gold, four gold bangles, one set of jewellery, half a dozen rings and Rs6,000 cash.

TEST CONTINUES: The written tests for recruitment of teachers continued here on Sunday at different centres amidst strict security. Around 23 centres were set up for around 20,000 candidates for the posts of junior school, high school, physical education and drawing teachers.

The education department had directed the staff to attend their duties on Sunday in their schools keeping in mind arrangements on emergency basis. On Saturday, around 7,000 candidates for the post of primary school teachers appeared in the test at 30 centres, of which 20 were for men and 10 for women.

The candidates were required to show receipts of the application forms bought from the designated branches of banks. Since seat numbers were not allotted to the candidates, it created a lot of confusion for them as well as the staff.