DADU, July 2: Decrying water crises in Bego Beero, Chhinni, Patoro and Chhejano minors originating from Johi Branch and Dadu Canals, growers staged demonstration outside the irrigation office in Dadu on Wednesday to protest against acute shortage of water in their waterways.

They were led by district President of Sindh Abadgar Board, Mohammad Omer Jamali, besides Sikandar Khoonharo and Zafar Khoonharo.

Mr Jamali said that 30 waterways at Johi branch were dried leaving 50,000 acres of land uncultivated in Johi taluka. He alleged that irrigation officials had fixed rates for selling the water in the area, while hundreds of small growers were unable to cultivate paddy crop.

The demonstrators said that thousands of acres of land at Bego Dero waterway had rendered barren due to acute shortage of water. He said that influential growers were stealing water at the head of Johi Branch.

One of the growers Tariq Gadhi threatened that if complete share of water was not provided in Chhinni and Chhejani waterway, they would observe hunger strike out side the mausoleum of Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bux.

Responding to the complaints of growers, PPP MPA Imran Leghari paid surprise visit to Kudhan, Baid, Khuda wah, Naro, Mir Mohammad and Bego Dero waterways. He said that a number of modules were found tampered with.

He appealed to Sindh chief minister to direct the irrigation minister to ensure supply of complete share of water to Kudhan, Baid, Khuda wah, Naro, Mir Mohammad and Bego Dero waterways otherwise, he would table a motion in the provincial assembly against unfair distribution of water in Dadu.