SANGHAR, Aug 10: About 400 farmers blocked the Sanghar-Khipro Road at Warenh Mori on Saturday in protest against the SDO, irrigation, Khipro.

Khori Union Council Nazim Mohammad Saleem Dars, who led the protesters, Saindad Mari, Ghulam Sadiq Dars, Seth Jeandram, Anwar Hingorjo, Ghulam Ali and others alleged that SDO Ishtiaq Memon and his subordinate staff frequently closed the Lal Khan Canal without any reason.

They said water was released in the canal on Friday, after remaining closed for several days, but it was again closed after a few hours on the pretext of rotation programme.

They said the non-availability of water had severely damaged cotton, sugarcane, chili and other crops.

Later, the executive engineer, Thar Division, Khalid Ahmad Larik, reached the site an assured the protesters that water supply in the canal would be restored by 7pm on Saturday.

The protesting farmers, on the assurances of the XEN, dispersed with a threat to close the road again if water supply was not restored.

FIR: The Khipro police registered an FIR against Mehrab who on Friday had attempted to rape Hanjo, wife of Bhagwano Meghwar, near Hathungo, while she was working in cotton field. The accused was not arrested till the filing of this report.