DADU (Report: Mukhtiar Ali Jatoi): The Dadu Awami Forum held a protest rally against an alleged severe shortage of irrigation water in the Dadu Canal and its distributaries, with farmers, growers and citizens demanding an immediate increase in water supply.
The protesters gathered at Shah Jahan Park and marched toward the Dadu Press Club, carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans against the alleged water shortage.
The demonstrators demanded that sufficient water be immediately releasedAddressing the protest, participants said that while the Indus River was experiencing seasonal high flows and floodwater, insufficient water was allegedly being released into the into the Dadu Canal, its branches, minors and watercourses to ensure supplies reach the tail-end areas.
Farmers Facing Losses
Addressing the protest, participants said that while the Indus River was experiencing seasonal high flows and floodwater, insufficient water was allegedly being released into the Dadu Canal.
They claimed the shortage was causing serious difficulties for thousands of farmers and growers across Dadu district and pushing them toward an economic crisis.
According to the protesters, standing crops were drying up because of inadequate irrigation water, while farmers were facing drought-like conditions. They also said drinking water had become scarce for livestock, while birds and other animals were being affected by the shortage.
Criticism of Irrigation Authorities
Leaders of the Dadu Awami Forum criticized officials of the Irrigation Department and elected representatives, calling for effective measures to resolve the problems faced by farmers and local residents.
They said providing affected growers with their legitimate share of irrigation water was the responsibility of the government and the Irrigation Department.
The protest was attended by Dadu Awami Forum leaders including Sardar Ashiq Ali Zoner, Gulan Khan Bhand, Muhammad Morail Panhwar, Waryam Sindhi, Zamir Ahmed Korejo, Dildar Zoner, Faheem Bhurt, Hajin Khan Lund and Comrade Khadim Hussain Chandio.
President of the Sehwan Taluka Growers Association Manzoor Ahmed Jamali and President of the Khairpur Nathan Shah Taluka Growers Association Irshad Ali Junejo, along with other farmers and community leaders, also participated and addressed the gathering.
Demand for Water to Reach Tail-End Areas
The protesters appealed to the Sindh government, senior authorities and Secretary Irrigation Sindh to take immediate notice of the situation and ensure irrigation water reaches the affected branches, minors and watercourses throughout Dadu district, particularly the tail-end areas.
They also demanded an inquiry into the alleged shortage and distribution problems. If negligence or misconduct by any irrigation official is established, they called for action under the law.
The protesters warned that if adequate irrigation water was not supplied to farmers in Dadu district immediately, they would expand the scope of their protest.
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