SHEIKHUPURA, July 10: The irrigation department officials came to blows during a meeting called by the executive engineer on Friday to settle the issue of water theft.

Irrigation chief engineer Waqar Khan directed XEN Wasim Butt to solve the dispute after he received complaints about the high incidence of canal water theft.

During the meeting, SDO Irfan Asghar levelled allegation of water theft against the XEN, accusing him of receiving million of rupees from landlords to allow them irrigate their lands illegally. This annoyed the XEN, who exchanged harsh words with the accuser and scuffled with him. He also called his subordinates and ordered them to drag the SDO out of his office.

The SDO later told newsmen that Mr Butt was directly involved in the theft. He said the XEN had received illegal gratification from the landlords to allow canal water theft. He also alleged that the meeting was meant to hoodwink the department higher-ups.

He demanded that the irrigation minister and secretary should hold an impartial inquiry into the allegations.