Abohar, November 9
With the seizure of a truckload of ammunition from the bed of the Bikaner canal near Jandwala Meerasangla village in this area bordering Pakistan, eyebrows about the internal and external security have been raised.
While official sources remained tight-lipped about the episode, sources in rural areas claimed that 11 rocket launchers, 14 mortar smoke bombs, 100 mortar bombs, six mini-mortar bombs, 63 rocket launcher high explosive anti-tank, 112 H/LL, two hand grenades and more than 3,500 cartridges had been recovered from the bed of the canal which was closed for renovation early this week.
It was said that the Bikaner canal was a property of Rajasthan and the valuables recovered after suspension of water supply, thus belonged to it. Sources said that authorities in this region had given a contract for fishing in the canal to some persons, allegedly without taking the government into confidence.
After the suspension of water supply, fish were seen running towards holes created in the side walls when mediamen visited the site last evening. Villagers and others were found collecting valuables from the bed of the canal which still had 2-feet water. The bed is expected to dry up completely by Sunday. More recoveries are expected from the silt.
Reports said a bag containing 37 new meters of the Punjab State Electricity Board were also recovered near the Akbarwala bridge of the Bikaner canal yesterday. Many people were busy collecting different kinds of goods from the canal bed. It may be mentioned here that a private bus had fallen in this river at the bridge adjoining the Cooperative Sugar Mill in 1980, but the authorities had not yet repaired the bridge.
Sources said senior Army officers were keeping watch over the recoveries made from the canal and the police officials of Khuikhera were also reportedly in touch with the Army.
Sources said the reconstruction of the Bikaner canal would cost Rs 446 crore to the Rajasthan Government Work in the Punjab area is to be executed by the state government. This may take four years. The government has decided to suspend water supply for six months in the first phase. There would be closures every six months.
The Rajasthan Government has made alternative arrangements for supplying water to the farmers and water reservoirs for drinking.
Mr Kamal Nagpal and Mr Sat Pal Soni who have been watching the scene at the canal said Maharaja Ganga Singh had got this canal constructed in 1927 using lime powder and concrete. Nearly 115 sq km area of the canal is in Punjab, up to the Khakha head and the rest in Rajasthan.
