June 17, 2007	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 01, 1428

HYDERABAD, June 16: Qasim Rangers were taking over control of three minors and one branch of Hyderabad rural taluka with effect from June 16 to check theft of water and ensure judicious distribution of water up to the tail-end, said commandant of Hyderabad wing of Qasim Rangers, Colonel Niaz on Saturday.

He told a news conference that on the request of Sindh irrigation department 50 jawans would monitor Shahmir branch, Miran Kori minor, Sarfaraz minor and Zounr minor round the clock to check theft of water.

If anyone was found stealing water, an FIR would be registered against him, he warned stressing that no political interference would be tolerated in this regard.

The executive engineer of Naseer sub-division Waqar Qadri who was also present at the news conference told journalists that some influential landlords were stealing water by force and even police were not taking any action against them.

Our Nawabshah correspondent adds: Pakistan Rangers asked the growers to remove illegal water connections immediately, warned a press release issued by Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Saturday.

A senior official of Indus Rangers told that the personnel of Rangers would take over control of Nusrat and Rohri canals in Nawabshah district as well as other canals in Sanghar and Naushahro Feroze districts that day to check water theft.