DADU, July 15: The growers held protest demonstrations in Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi, and Dadu towns on Monday against the shortage of irrigation water in the waterways originating from the Dadu Canal, the Rice Canal, and the Johi Branch.

The growers and Nazims of Khairpur Nathan Shah Taluka staged a demonstration in Khairpur Nathan Shah to protest against the shortage of water in the waterways originating from the Rice Canal including the Kuddan Wah, Khuda Wah, Pajaro Waterway, Sudh Way, and Nara Distributary.

The demonstrators carrying banners raised slogans against the irrigation officials. They were led by the Nazim Union Council Sita Road town, Ali Mohammed Soomro, and the president, Abadgar Association Abdul Ghani Qureshi.

Speaking to the demonstrators, Mr Soomro alleged that local irrigation officials had sold the water of 20 waterways originating from the Rice Canal to some influential landlords.

He claimed that the small growers had been unable to cultivate 60,000 acres of land in the Taluka this year due to the water shortage.

The president, Abadgar Association, Abdul Ghani said that he had approached senior officials of the irrigation department and complained against the local officials but they had not taken any action against them.

Later, the Abadgar Association also observed token hunger strike.

A large number of growers also staged a demonstration in front of the office of the SDO, Irrigation, Dadu, to protest against the water shortage in Noor Wah, Kakar Waterway.

The growers were led by Ghulam Nabi, Choudhry Abdul Rasheed, and Umer Deen.

They complained that the officials had not provided them water in the Kakar Waterway since the last six months.

A large number of growers also held demonstration in Johi against the shortage of water in the waterways originating from the Johi Branch.

They were led by the chairman, Abadgars Association, Johi Taluka, Ghulam Qadir, and the Nazim, Union Council Chhinni, Ghulam Ali Khan Shahani.