LARKANA, July 20: An unpleasant situation developed here when irrigation officials of Balochistan reportedly assaulted an SDO of the Sindh irrigation department, Hafizullah Solangi, deployed at the Garang regulator.

The officials from Balochistan also lowered the gates of the Saifullah Magsi branch irrigating land in Sindh at gunpoint on Thursday.

The Garang regulator is the distribution point of irrigation water between Sindh and Balochistan.

The water flow to Shahdadkot and Qubo Saeed Khan talukas was completely stopped.

Realising the gravity of the situation, Qambar-Shahdadkot District Nazim Shabbir Ahmed Chandio sent the deputy district officer Syed Mohsin Shah along with police force to the area.

Nisar Ahmed Shaikh, executive engineer of the Saifullah Magsi branch, along with growers’ representatives also rushed to the place.

Sindh Abadgar Board Qambar-Shahdadkot president Ishaque Mughairi who also visited the place, told Dawn that the Balochistan SDO (irrigation) Nazeer Rind had taken the unusual step and lowered the gates of the Saifullah Magsi branch just at half of the level after a heated argument with the SDO Hafezullah Solangi of the Sindh irrigation department and assaulted him.

Balochistan at present is receiving eight feet and two inches water share while only one foot and seven inches was released into Saifullah Magsi branch which is insufficient, said Mr Mughairi.

Later in the presence of district officer revenue Qambar-Shahdadkot, Syed Mohsin Shah, executive engineer Saifullah Magsi branch, superintending engineer irrigation Balochistan Ibrahim Rind and executive engineer Naeem Baloch held talks.

They decided to restore the earlier flow of the water that was one foot and seven inches to Saifullah Magsi branch (Sindh side) while Balochistan would continue to take eight feet and two inches. The irrigation officials of Balochistan also apologized for the ugly incident.

The representatives of the Sindh Abadgar Board accused Balochistan of taking extra water in violation of the settled share, which is 43 per cent for Sindh and 57 per cent for Balochistan.

Qambar-Shahdadkot District Nazim Nawab Shabir Ahmed Chandio condemning the act of Balochistan irrigation authorities, called for deploying Rangers at the Grang regulator.

He called for arresting those involved in the unlawful activity and providing security to the Sindh irrigation staff posted at the distribution channel.