MUZAFFARGARH: Police claimed on Thursday to have arrested MNA Jamshed Ahmad Dasti, chairman of the Pakistan Awami Raj party, over his alleged role in instigating people to open the sluice gate at Kalu headworks channel.

Chowk Qureshi police made the arrest shortly after Dasti came back from Islamabad.

Confirming his arrest, SHO Mujahid Husain said Dasti, along with a number of people, had opened the sluice gate at Kalu headworks channel to release water in Dinga minor (Muzaffargarh canal). The irrigation officials had warned him against opening the gate that had been closed for many months due to litigation, he said.

Kot Addu Executive Engineer Mehr Riaz said he had informed the higher-ups about the situation and also sent an application to the police for taking action.

An official quoted Punjab Irrigation Minister Amanat Khan as saying the department would take stern action against the MNA and his henchmen.

Justifying his move, Dasti said Dinga minor was closed and he released water into it to facilitate the farmers who had been crying out for availability of water for crops.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2017