DADU: Irrigation officials accused of selling water
By Dawn Report
DADU, July 18: Protest against water shortage was observed in different parts of Sindh on Saturday and Sunday and farmers accused irrigation officials of selling water to landlords.
Hundreds of small farmers took out a procession in Johi on Sunday to protest against flawed distribution of water from the Johi Branch and acute water shortage in Noonari, Dal, Daim, Chhinni, Chinjani, Dara, Lakha, Khan and Patoro water channels.
Carrying banners and raising slogans against the area irrigation officials, they also held a protest demonstration on Dadu-Johi road as a result vehicular traffic remained suspended for two hours.
Speaking on the occasion, Small Farmers' Association leader Ghulam Qadir Rind alleged that the irrigation officials of the southern division of irrigation department were selling water share of Johi Branch to the influential landlords in Pat and Sita sub-divisions.
He said that owing to wrong distribution of water, farmers in Johi taluka had been unable to cultivate cotton and paddy crops during the current season. Haji Hussain Lashari alleged that influential landlords had tempered with direct outlets and modules of the Johi Branch and were stealing water also through lift machines.
He appealed to Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to take action against the irrigation officials and ensure supply of water to the water channels in Johi.
NAWABSHAH: A group of tail-end farmers of the Jheemal Minor observed a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Saturday in protest against water shortage.
Led by Habibullah Khoso, they also staged a sit-in outside the office of the executive engineer of the Nusrat division, irrigation department. They alleged that the area irrigation officials were selling water to the influential landlords and, thus, creating an artificial shortage for tail-end farmers.
They said that there was an acute shortage of water in the Jheemal Minor for three months and their crops were being destroyed. They warned of observing hunger strike unto death if their problem was not solved within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the tail-end growers of Sardarabad Minor of the Nusrat division have also accused the irrigation officials of selling water to landlords at the head of the water channel.
Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Saturday, Imran Rind and others said that cultivation over 1,450 acres of land, irrigated through the Sardarabad Minor, had been badly affected due to water shortage, and the growers had become defaulters of the banks.
They alleged that irrigation officials of the Nusrat division were demanding bribe for uninterrupted water supply to them. They demanded that the Sindh chief minister should order an inquiry against the corrupt officials of the irrigation department and ensure proper supply of water to the tail-end farmers.
LARKANA: Farmers and villagers, hailing from suburbs of the Dokri town, on Saturday blocked the Airport Road near the Channa Bridge to protest against shortage of water in 20 distributaries of the Tatri regulator.
Led by Tatri Union Council Nazim Ghulamullah Bughio, Ghulam Asghar and Irshad Bughio, the protestors complained that Hesbani, Qaboolo, Sehar, Karani, Mehranvi and other branches originating from Tatri regulator were flowing with less water.
They alleged that irrigation officials were deliberately releasing less water in the channels. They said the water shortage was affecting paddy nurseries in the area. On this occasion, a framer, Arbab Bughio, attempted self-immolation but he was saved.
The protestors demanded that authorities concerned should relieve the SDO, Jamil Sangi, who they blamed for the situation. The engineer of the Dadu Canal and other officials arrived at the scene and after negotiations with the protesters agreed to provide required quantity of water to the channels within two days. On this assurance, the farmers ended their protest.
