DADU, July 22: Hundreds of farmers of the Pir Gunio water channel staged a demonstration outside the office of the executive engineer southern division here on Friday to protest against artificial water shortage. They burnt tyres on the Indus Highway. Leaders of the Abadgars Association Rafique Babbar, Niaz Panhwar, Allah Bachayo Panhwar and Haji Arib Shaikh led the protesters.

They alleged that officials of the irrigation department were selling water to influential farmers hence the Pir Gunio water channel had dried up.

They said the growers had complained to the officials but they had not taken any notice of water theft.

They appealed to the secretary irrigation to ensure water supply.

Police resorted to baton charge to disperse the farmers and opened the Indus Highway for traffic.

Two farmers were injured due to baton charge.