Access: Farmers protest water theft

FAISALABAD:

Scores of farmers of Jassoana Bungalow on Saturday staged a protest demonstration against water theft, saying tail-enders had been unable to irrigate their land.

The protesters, gathering banners and placards, gathered in front of Jassoana Bungalow where they staged a sit.

They chanted slogans against the Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) and president of Jassoana Bungalow Farmers Association.

Irrigation Employees and Workers Pasban Union Deputy Chief Organizer Rana Iqrar led the demonstration.

Addressing the protesters, he said big landlords were exploiting small farmers.

“They steal canal water with the help of corrupt Irrigation Department officials and representatives of the Farmers’ Association,” he said.

He said the PIDA had been set up to protect small farmers, especially tail-enders.

He said the president of the Farmers’ Association had been bribed by big landlords.

“He allows them to alter water outlets and steal canal water,” he said.

He said tail-enders had greatly suffered this year.

“We reported water theft to the Irrigation Department a number of times but no one took action to curb it,” he said.  Later, a police team met the protesters and assured them that the matter would be taken up before the Irrigation Department and resolved soon.  Police assured the protesters that those stealing water would be taken to task. The protesters dispersed on this assurance.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2015.