LARKANA:Poor growers and peasants of various villages of Larkana district reached Irrigation Department Complex on Monday and held a protest demonstration in its corridor against acute water shortage.
They shouted slogans of “Pani Nahay Cho Bhala – Karbala Karbala”. The protesters belonged to villages Nangar Sangi, Mehar Brohi, Jumo Langah, Jumo Jogi and others.
The peasants of Mirwah Shakh and Naundero Shakh including Mukhtiar Lashari, Muhammad Ali Brohi, Mushtaque Langah, Ali Sher Brohi, Fatah Lashari, Ramzan Brohi and others complained that they have planted paddy saplings in their lands but due to unavailability of irrigation water their seeds are drying and burning.
They said they complained to irrigation department engineers several times for releasing water into the respective irrigation drains but they have been denied water so far as they are selling water to influential landlords due to which thousands of acres of lands are even empty today despite peak of the paddy sowing season. They said if water is not released quickly then their lands will become barren.
They alleged that irrigation engineers are involved in selling peasants’ water after getting illegal gratification from big land owners. They said worst affected are the tillers whose lands are at tail ends.
They said even today when they have come to Larkana to register complaint against acute water shortage no officer is available in his office which indeed is against the declared policy of ruling party who has been claiming constantly that it’s government is farmers-friendly. They appealed to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Irrigation Minister to take notice of the issue and save their lands from becoming dry and barren.