DERA GHAZI KHAN, Aug 25: The local irrigation department and police have failed to check water theft by the ‘influential’ from Dera Ghazi Khan and Shoria canals.

Whenever the authorities concerned have launched campaigns to curb it, the poor farmers have fallen prey while the big fish have gone scot-free.

Legharis and Khosas have been stealing canal water for quite some time with the alleged connivance of the irrigation high-ups.

In a case of water theft, a police superintendent allegedly turned a deaf ear to the report of Derajat circle superintendent engineer.

In June 2002, the Punjab governor had directed the police officials to book at least 300 farmers, including ex-MNA Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa, ex-MPA Jaffar Khan Leghari, Mansoor Ahmad Khan Leghari and Salahuddin Khosa. However, the police paid little heed to it.

According to the rules, no one can get water from the left bank of the canal through outlet or pump. Reports said Farooq Leghari had been obtaining water from the left bank of the Dera Ghazi Khan canal in Chak Dodara of Choti Zaireen. He is also getting water from the Shoria distributary by developing breach to water acres near Basti Jam.

Similarly, Khosa family is allegedly involved in water theft through the outlet in Chak Jhangale. It is learnt that no irrigation official can be deputed in the areas of Khosas and Legharis without their consent.

When contacted, local irrigation chief engineer was not available for comments.