BADIN, Feb 11: Growers have demanded the compensation for water stolen from the share of Sindh besides criticizing the silence of the provincial government and legislators over the issue.

The demand was made by participants of a conference held here the other day at the Station Ground on finding solutions to the problems of growers.

Criticizing the legislators for keeping mum over the theft of its due share of water of the River Indus, they said that because of their subdued attitude, Sindh had been subjected to a host of deprivations.

The water theft, they said, had pushed the people of Sindh to live in abject poverty, spiralled joblessness and increased other forms of social sufferings.

Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo said that Sindh had been left with no option but to launch a relentless struggle for its survival.

Criticizing the Centre, he said that it had brought terrorists and dummies to rule over the province, adding that they were availing all opportunities for extorting and depriving the people of their rights.

Mr Palijo stressed on writers, intellectuals and the people to launch a peaceful and democratic struggle against injustices and usurpation of the rights of Sindh.

Criticizing the present rulers, he said that they were being remotely controlled from abroad, adding that anyone opposing the US policy could not remain in power.

Without being specific, he accused a nationalist party of having destroyed the province’s educational institutions.

Lashing out against an entrenched group in the provincial government, he said that it was actively conspiring against the interests of the people of Sindh.

Mr Palijo added that the group was being abetted by the elected members of the Sindh Assembly.

Other speakers lashed out against slogan mongers, who, they said, were exploiting Islam and the cliche of Roti, Kapra aur Makan, adding that they were playing a foul play at the expense of the masses.

Demanding the postponement of recovery of land and water charges, they criticized the forcible recovery of land revenue, Aabiyana and other taxes from the farmers.