KOHAT: The local farmers’ association on Saturday demanded the removal of encroachments from a canal here so that water can reach the farmlands at the tail end.

The body’s president Inaam Khan appealed to the deputy commissioner, who is also the revenue head of the district, to clear the path of canal from encroachments.

He said mushroom growth of shopping centres and housing societies along the canal had squeezed its path. He said water from the canal originating from the city springs could not reach Bilitang, Togh, Babri Banada and other areas.

He accused the revenue department officials and the tehsil municipal administration of allowing the centuries-old fertile agricultural land into commercial hubs in connivance with rich investors.

Inaam Khan said once the farmers were self sufficient in producing grain and animal fodder, but now they were being deprived of their source of income due to lack of irrigation water.

He demanded of the deputy commissioner to impose ban on building housing societies.

ARRESTED: The city police on Saturday arrested a robber.

City police station SHO Fazal Mohammad said a citizen had complained robbers had taken away Rs8 million cash and 16 tolas of jewellery after breaking into his house in the Old Cattle Market area.

He said the police arrested the robber, Arshad Khan, during a raid on his hideout.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2023