August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

HYDERABAD, Aug 17: The abadgars of irrigation sub-division of Tando Adam-II, Mashaik minor, have strongly protested against the formation of, what they called ‘an illegal water committee’ by the executive engineer (irrigation) to manage distribution of water in their area.

The growers were addressing a news conference at the press club here on Sunday.

They termed it a ploy to extract money from poor farmers.

The growers said that the committee formed by the XEN of Hala division was harassing growers by holding back water supply.

They also alleged that they were being implicated in false cases by the chairman of the committee.

They said this committee was absolutely illegal as the XEN had no legal authority to appoint any water committee.

They appealed to the Sindh chief minister to take notice of excesses of the committee and order the withdrawal of false cases against them.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: The members of the Christian community have appealed to the prime minister to take notice of the registration of a ‘false’ case against a member of their community, Shahzad alias Nakoo Masih, at Hatri police station.

They were addressing a news conference at the press club.

They said the police had registered the case against Shahzad on the complaint of one Mohammad Rafique for rioting. They said he was innocent but languishing in jail. The case was absolutely false, they claimed, and demanded a high level inquiry into the matter.