SANGHAR, June 15: Growers staged a sit-in on the Tando Adam- Tando Allahyar road in Qaisar Ghat on Tuesday to protest against non-availability of water in tail-end watercourses of the Sui Kundar Shakh.

They also came to the local press club to record their protest. Speaking on the occasion, Allah Bux Brohi, Khuda Bux Hingoro, Wazir Hingoro, Manzoor Jamali, Ali Mardan Jamali, Ghaus Brohi and others said that 12 tail-end watercourses out of 52 of the Sui Kundar Shakh, Tando Adam sub-division-II, had not received water for five years.

They said that 2,000 peasant families had migrated to escape the drought-like situation in the area. They said that tests had shown that underground water in the area was not fit for drinking and irrigation purposes.

They said that the use of this water through tube-wells had destroyed their lands. They said about 5,000 acres had become barren. A farmer of Deh Dokan, Allah Bux Brohi, said that he owned 125 acres but he could cultivate only 12 acres through a tube-well.

The protesters accused irrigation officials of selling their share of water to landlords. They said that through tube-wells they hardly grew fodder for their cattle as they could not afford a diesel engine and its high operating cost.

The growers said that underground water table had reached 150 feet. They said that officers of the irrigation department did not meet them when they went to their offices.

They said that people would be compelled to migrate to other places if early supply of water to the watercourses was not ensured. They appealed to the president, Sindh governor and the chief minister to look into the matter and order release of water to their area.