Employees of the irrigation department have reportedly dismantled water pumps installed along a canal, cutting off the supply of drinking water to residents of several villages by suppliers.
According to local sources, a dispute between water suppliers and employees of the department over the supply to about 25 villages around Buchiana escalated.
Subsequently, Overseer Saleem Lurk had the water pumps installed along the canal dismantled, resulting in the suspension of the supply to a large number of people, the sources said.
On the overseer's request, a case was lodged by the SDO concerned of the irrigation department, accusing the suppliers of water theft and interference in official duties.
In response, the water suppliers blocked the Bachiana-Shahkot road in protest and chanted slogans against the officials.
They alleged that an official had been extorting Rs5,000 per month from them for a long time and had recently demanded more money.
The protesters alleged that the pumps installed for the water supply had been dismantled over their refusal to pay the demanded money.
However, Overseer Saleem Lurk told The Express Tribune that the allegations were baseless and no monetary demands had been made.
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