KHAIRPUR, July 25: A large number of farmers of Rajpari, Shadi Shaheed, Goondarirro and Lyari villages staged a demonstration outside the press club here on Friday to protest against a revenue official for overcharging against water charges.

Led by Ghulam Abbas Lanjwani, the farmers raised slogans against the area Tapedar. They alleged that the Tapedar was overcharging against Abiyana and not issuing receipts against the payment. They added that owners of uncultivated land were also made to pay Abiyana. They said that they had informed DCO Khairpur about the excesses of the Tapedar but he had taken no action so far.

They said that if an inquiry was conducted into the matter, many farmers would appear as witnesses of the illegal practice of the Tapedar.