THATTA, May 6: Protesting acute shortage of potable water in the town for the last two weeks, a large number of people took to the streets here on Sunday.

Led by Mama Ishaque Khushik, leader of Shah Kamal Action Committee, people along with activists of the PPP, STP and JSQM, carrying empty earthen water pots and wearing black armbands, began their demonstration from fish market and after marching through the main thoroughfares, converged at the Thatta Press Club and staged a sit-in on the National Highway.

The sit-in resulted in suspension of vehicular traffic for about two hours.

Speaking to the protesters, leader of STP, Dr Wali Jakhro, Chief of Shah Kamal Action Committee, Mama Ishaque Khushik, a PPP leader Mubarak Khatri and others claimed that the administration of Thatta local bodies has made the people’s lives miserable by not supplying potable water for the last two weeks.

They said that all the four reservoirs were lying dry since two weeks and no alternate arrangement was made.

The demonstrators threatened to expand their protest if drinking water to them was not restored within 24 hours.

Thatta city has a population of 75000 while its vicinity and Makli are in addition to that. The city gets drinking water from KB lower feeder which is stored at four reservoirs. The taluka municipal administration of Thatta drained out all the four reservoirs on the pretext of desilting and maintenance two weeks ago.