HYDERABAD, April 3: An activist has threatened fast unto death outside the Hyderabad Press Club if water in Ganj Bahar Canal of Mirpur Bathoro taluka, Thatta district was not released by Friday.

PPP activist and former vice-chairman of Mirpur Bathoro Town Committee, Mohammad Siddique Soho, announced this during a news conference at the press club on Thursday.

He said water had not been released in Ganj Bahar canal during the last three months which feeds 10 watercourses. This had resulted in dust flowing in canal and water courses with farmers facing financial crisis. He said even drinking water was not available.

He said water shortage was going on for last 20 years while every year growers stage protest demonstration for the release of water. He alleged water being sold to big and influential waderas like Shirazis, Malkanis, Deewan Sugar Mills and Laar Sugar Mills for their land and factories.

Soho said tens of thousands of acres in Bathoro taluka were barren and even drinking water ponds were dry. He alleged Baghar Wah too was dry as water was being supplied to 350 acres belonging to Shirazis.

He said thousands had been forced to migrate from the area due to shortage of water as only recently, he along with others met the local SDO and Chief Engineer Kotri barrage but they refused to release water in Ganj Bahar canal.

He said he had decided to stage hunger strike unto death outside the press club from Friday which will continue till water was released into the canal.