MIRPURKHAS, Aug 31: Two farmers here on Tuesday threatened to commit self-immolation if water was not released into their watercourses in 24 hours.

Around 200 farmers of the Juma Minor and the Sigh Minor held a protest demonstration outside the irrigation rest house in Khai on Tuesday against non-supply of water in the channels for one and a half months.

Led by Juma Minor Farmer Organisation chairman Chanesar Rahimoon and general-secretary Mir Hassan Palli, the farmers, carrying banners and placards, raised slogans against the SDO and other irrigation officials.

Talking to journalists, the protesters said their channels, originated from the Khipro Canal, had not been supplied water according to approved gauge and only three to four feet water had been released.

They regretted that for one and a half months, even drinking water was not available in the area. They said they would stage a sit-in outside the office of director of the Nara Canal Area Water Board before the two farmers committed self-immolation. They demanded that the Sindh governor and the chief minister should take notice of the matter and ensure water supply as per approved gauge.

HUNGER STRIKE: Awami Tehrik activists, including women and children, observed a token hunger strike at the Post Office Chowk on Tuesday to protest against issuance of Computerized National Identity Cards to Biharis and Bengalis.

District party president Dr Rasool Bux Khaskheli and vice- president Anwar Nohani participated in the hunger strike. District Bar Association and Human Right Commission of Pakistan member Rochiram, Iqbal Rind, Ghulam Qadir Mirani and Mohammad Bux Gorchani visited the hunger strike camp and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Talking to journalists, the activists condemned a Sindh Assembly resolution allowing issuance of CNICs to aliens. They demanded withdrawal of the resolution.