Farmers clash over canal water

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 18

As the paddy sowing season is set to start, the incidents of canal water theft are on the rise in the district.

Two groups of farmers, reportedly owing allegiance to the Congress, clashed with each other at Gurursar village in Gidderbaha on Monday. One faction has even alleged that the other group even opened fire in the air.

Sources said some farmers had installed a water pipeline to get canal water supply, but it led to some dispute between some of them. “They gathered in the morning at a common place and started arguing. Later, one of them fired in the air,” said the sources.

Harmeet Singh, a farmer, said, “Bhupinder Singh fired two shots in the air over the water dispute.”

On the other hand, Bhupinder Singh said, “Some farmers had blocked the pipeline and threatened me with dire consequences if I try to open it. Now, they are concocting a false story of firing in the air.”

Meanwhile, the police have started investigation in this regard.

Dharna near Abohar too 

Members of the Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti staged a dharna near the district collectorate at Sriganganagar on Monday. When invited for talks by District Collector Gyana Ram, farmers' leader Het Ram Beniwal demanded that 2,500 cusecs of water should be released in Gang Canal from Harike Barrage (Punjab) as most of the cotton growers were missing turns for irrigation with present flow of 1,850 cusecs. Dry spell preceded by 40-day canal closure had affected cotton growth, they argued. The DC explained the latest position of water level in the dams and assured to take up the matter with the authorities concerned in Rajasthan and Punjab. OC

Demand for regular power supply 

• Sangrur farmers, under the banner of the BKU Ugrahan, protested in front of the office of the Executive Engineer of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Monday and demanded uninterrupted power supply
• “The PSPCL authorities are harassing farmers by imposing power cuts. On Tuesday, we will organise a district-level protest against the Power Department,” said Sarup Chand, press sectary of the BKU Ugrahan of the Sangrur block. TNS