MITHI, Nov 6: Tharparkar District Nazim Arbab Anwar has demanded that the areas of the district, which face drought due to less rainfall, be declared calamity-hit, each family be supplied 100 kg wheat bag per month at Rs15 per kg, recovery of dues be put off and all kinds of taxes be remitted for the next eight months.

In a communication addressed to Sindh chief minister, the nazim demanded relief measures on a war footing for next eight months, which, in addition, included provision of fodder for animals and 100 per cent increase in quota of utility stores already functioning in the district.

He urged the government to take serious notice of drought in the rain-fed sandy region of Thar and waste no time in initiating relief measures. Agriculture in Thar completely depended on monsoon rainfall.

This year it rained too little to help irrigate lands and grow crops. As a result, people were now facing acute shortage of drinking water, grain and fodder, he said.

He said that 80 per cent of population of Tharparkar depended on livestock, which was the main source of livelihood of people but the drought gradually pushed livestock to death due to lack of water and fodder.

The nazim pointed out in his letter that seven irrigated dehs of Mithi and Diplo talukas, including Noukot, Wassaipoto, Kaloi, Dodharo, Phant, Serhi and Bhitaro were not hit that hard so the remaining 159 dehs be declared as calamity-hit.

JIRGA: Taking cognizance of press reports regarding a jirga reportedly called by an elder of Sameja community in a village of Chachhro taluka, in which accused party was fined Rs400,000 besides giving two girls in marriage to the sons of murdered Salim, DIG Mirpurkhas has directed the DPO Tharparkar to conduct an inquiry into the matter and furnish a report, it has been reliably learnt.

Zahiruddin Tunio, DPO Tharparkar summoned the parties to his office on Wednesday where Sardar Sher Khan Samejo, chief of Sameja community while recording his statement, said that no such jirga was called. However, a meeting of Sameja community was convened in Arbiliar village, Chachro taluka, in which notables of Sameja community held discussion for the settlement of murder case of Salim Samejo, who was reportedly murdered by his father-in-law, Sahli and others a week ago over a water dispute.

Meanwhile, in a statement recorded before DPO as well as Mukhtiarkar (revenue) and special judicial magistrate Mithi, on Wednesday, Ms Hanifaan wife of Sahli Samejo, contended that the people of Sameja community had gathered in her village on November 2.

She said in her statement recorded under section 164 that no jirga was arranged at the occasion, nor any decision about fine of Rs400,000 or giving two girls in marriage to two sons of murdered Salim (her son-in-law).