KHAIRPUR, March 10: An inquiry committee visited watercourses originating from the Faiz Nahar canal on Friday. The committee is headed by the chief engineer of the Sukkur Barrage, Mohammad Nawaz Memon.

Other members of the committee are: The executive engineer of the Khairpur west division, the chairman of the Abadgar Action Committee, Dr Abdul Fatah Memon, and leaders of the Sindh Hari Committee

The committee conducted an inquiry into a dispute to close direct outlets to end shortage of water at tail-end minors of the Faiz Nahar canal.

The visit by the team was held after continuous protests, hunger strikes by farmers in Sobhodero taluka.

The farmers took out processions in Sobhodero, Hingorja and Agra on Friday and accused irrigation officials of running illegal direct outlets from the Faiz Nahar canal.

The chief engineer of Sukkur barrage said that five direct outlets were found of which four had record, sanctioned by the irrigation department.

He said the main problem of tail-end farmers of the Faiz Nahar canal was at Machhar and Mehrab minors and digging of both minors had been ordered in presence of farmers which would be completed with the help of machines.

He said that if extra water was to be taken from these outlets, it would be provided to tail-end minors of the Faiz Nahar.

Agra UC Nazim Fida Hussain Abbasi said that direct outlets including Agra, Ketchi, Jado and Nawaro fed Faiz Nahar canal were operating since the Khairpur state period and watercourses fed from them were sanctioned by the irrigation department.

He recalled that the executive engineer of the West division had a clash with farmers of the Faiz Nahar canal four years ago due to which, official papers were missing.

He presented all proofs before the inquiry committee here on Friday.

Office-bearers of the Abadgar Action Committee and workers of the Sindh Hari Committee told that the problems of tail-end farmers was not only at two minors but they were not getting due share at around twelve minors including Teekno, Mehrab, Girkhno minor, Kharal minor and Machhar minor.

They expressed dissatisfaction on the visit of the chief engineer and other officers and alleged that the officers were supporting influential people.

They said that the inquiry team did not visit illegal direct outlets therefore they were not hopeful that their problem would be resolved.