KHAIRPUR, Dec 6: The Irrigation department has increased water rotation period from seven days to fifteen days for lands fed on Khairpur east and west feeders which, according to growers, is bound to affect cultivation of wheat crop in the area.

The growers have been directed to take water twice a month from the branches of Mirwah Canal and Khairpur west feeder (Abal Wah).

Well placed sources in Irrigation department do not rule out further increase in rotation period as water level at Sukkur barrage is decreasing.

It is feared that due to prolonged water rotation period recently sown seasonal crops and vegetables might be damaged, which would mean loss of hundreds of thousands of rupees to the cultivators.

Sensing this scores of growers led by the taluka Nazim Akhtar Hussain Rajpar staged protest demonstration in Paka Chang on Thursday.

Talking to newsmen the growers claimed that not a single drop of water was supplied to Faiz Gunj Canal, Wehao Canal, Pandharo Wah and Ali Nawaz Wah for the last two months as a result of which wheat could not have been cultivated through out the sub- division.

The taluka Nazim accused the Irrigation officials of selling water to the influential growers of taluka Thari Mirwah and taluka Kot Diji, leaving the tailenders in the lurch.

WOMAN KILLED: A man, Waryam Chandio killed his wife Sehat Khatoon, aged 40, with axe on Thursday evening in Punj Hatti Muhalla here.