BAHAWALNAGAR, July 12: More than 300 families face starvation in Chak Laleka, some 19 km from here, due to the suspension of water in Mirziaki canal.

Affected villagers who claim filing a complaint against irrigation officials manning the canal say the water channel has been dry for the last two months.

Abdul Ghani of Noor Ahmed Bhaini, Muhammad Rafique and Haji Amanat of Shahu Wali Bhaini, Shabir Ahmed Lalika, Muhammad Ahmed Laleka and Shehbaz Laleka of Chak Laleka alleged that canal sub-engineer and a mate had demanded 800 kg of wheat from each family availing water from the canal. When the farmers rejected their demand, they suspended water, they claimed.

XEN Abdul Majeed Bhatti said he had taken over recently and was not in a position to say anything. On papers, he said, the canal was in flow. Overseer Nasir Shah said he was not answerable to anybody except his senior officers. — Correspondent