SUKKUR: Farmers from Saleh Pat staged a protest demonstration and rally outside the Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Office, alleging that a politically influential landlord had illegally blocked irrigation water, leaving their crops without sufficient supply.
The protesters carried withered cotton plants and chanted slogans against Syed Inayat Shah, accusing him of obstructing the flow of agricultural water.
A large number of growers from villages including Pir Bakhsh Mehr, Imam Bakhsh Mehr, Mitho Mehr, Chodhiyo Mehr, and surrounding areas participated in the demonstration. Among those present were Ghulam Rasool Mehr, Bagh Ali Mehr, Shaman Ali Mehr, Mukhtiar Ali, Muhammad Ramzan Mehr, and several other farmers.
The protesters alleged that Syed Inayat Shah had erected illegal embankments and barriers on the right-side left channel of RD-104 of the Nara Canal, preventing irrigation water from reaching downstream farms.
They further claimed that while the landlord was officially permitted by the Irrigation Department to use five five-inch pipes for irrigating his land, he was allegedly using pipes exceeding 12 inches in diameter to draw a much larger share of water than authorized.
According to the farmers, the severe water shortage has caused cotton and other standing crops to dry up, resulting in heavy agricultural losses. They also claimed that groundwater in the area had become unsuitable, creating an acute shortage of drinking water for residents, livestock, and birds.
The protesters appealed to MNA Syed Khursheed Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker and local MPA Syed Owais Shah, the Sindh Minister for Irrigation, and senior Irrigation Department officials to investigate the matter, take legal action against those allegedly responsible for blocking irrigation water, and ensure the immediate restoration of the farmers’ rightful water share.
The allegations were made by the protesting farmers, and no response from Syed Inayat Shah or the Irrigation Department was available at the time of reporting.
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