Farmers assault canal officials checking water theft, one hurt

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, July 10

A Canal Department team that had gone to detect water theft by farmers at Ojhanwali village of Fazilka district was assaulted by a mob, most of them reportedly farmers, on Tuesday morning.

Raj Kumar, a baildar (groundsman), sustained injuries in the attack and has been admitted to the local civil hospital.

Official sources said the team led by Junior Engineer Vipul Sachdeva conducted raid at Ojhanwali and Jhok Depolana villages along with some complainant farmers to detect the theft of canal water on Tuesday.

A few affected farmers had filed a complaint that they were not getting their due share of water at the tail end of the Lalowali minor canal. They alleged that some affluent farmers had been stealing water from the canal. When a team from the department reached the site, they were attacked by a mob.

Pawan Bishnoi, Sub-Divisional Officer (Canal), said, “Raj Kumar sustained knife injuries on his right arm and left leg. A medico-legal report has been sent to the police station concerned, but the police are yet to record his statement.”

The Canal Department had launched a campaign against farmers who had been stealing water from various non-perennial canals in Fazilka district and a large number of pipes and motors had been impounded.