By Riaz Narijo
DADU: Residents of several neighbourhoods in Kotri Site staged an unusual protest on Tuesday against what they described as the growing grip of the tanker mafia, as prolonged water shortages have forced households to buy expensive water for daily use.
People from Khuda Ki Basti, Gulshan Masood, Baber Stop, Abra Chowk and Popat Goth took part in the demonstration, which was led by Sattar, Lehar Shahbaz Memon and other community figures.
In a symbolic act of protest, demonstrators carried a mock funeral procession of the “tanker mafia”, starting from Bhattai Colony, passing through several localities and ending at Sachal Sarmast Colony, where they raised slogans against the authorities responsible for water supply.
Protesters said that piped water had not been supplied for several days, leaving residents with no option but to purchase water tankers at prices ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs6,000 per load. For many families, they said, the cost had become unaffordable.
Accusing the authorities of indifference, the residents demanded the immediate restoration of pipeline water supply to their areas, warning that access to clean drinking water had become a daily struggle for large sections of the population.
