By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Farmers staged a protest and sit-in at Khanpur Mahar Bypass in Ghotki district on Monday, demanding immediate action to address what they described as a severe shortage of irrigation water in several canals.
The demonstration was led by Haji Mahar, Yaseen Mahar, Shaukat and other growers, who carried banners and placards while chanting slogans in support of their demands.
The protesters said water supplies in Bombali Wah, Mubarakpur Minor and Bukhari Minor had remained critically low for several days, leaving standing crops at risk of drying out and raising concerns that agricultural land could become barren. They added that livestock owners were also facing serious difficulties due to the shortage.
Farmers alleged that influential individuals had illegally blocked water at RD-131, disrupting the flow to downstream areas and affecting hundreds of growers.
They also accused officials of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), including the director, the Executive Engineer in Ghotki and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Khanpur Mahar, of failing to ensure the fair distribution of irrigation water. The protesters further alleged that water was being diverted or sold instead of being supplied according to farmers’ legal entitlements.
The demonstrators demanded the immediate restoration of water supplies at RD-131, transparent distribution of irrigation water across all canals, and an inquiry into the conduct of the officials concerned, along with legal action if any wrongdoing is established.
They warned that if their demands were not addressed promptly, they would expand their protest campaign and hold the relevant authorities responsible for any further escalation.
The allegations made by the protesters have not been independently verified, and no official response from the irrigation authorities was immediately available.
