Principal Secy Kumar faces ire of farmers in Zira

Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar on Wednesday faced the ire of farmers during his visit to Ruknewala village in Zira subdivision, where the condition of an embankment deteriorated, posing a flood threat to nearby villages.

According to sources, the officer had come to Ruknewala village without any prior information.

When he reached there and interacted with the villagers, some of them reportedly “misbehaved with him”, following which he left the place.

This comes a day after Zira AAP legislator Naresh Kataria blamed department officials for flooding in his constituency. Sanaur AAP legislator Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who is evading arrest in a rape case, had accused Kumar of repeatedly ignoring his suggestions for the strengthening of the Ghaggar banks.

Tarlok Singh of Ruknewala village said they had been themselves strengthening a bundh for the past several days to prevent flooding.

Tarlok said when he requested Kumar to strengthen embankments by using stone crates to handle the Sutlej current, the officer responded that it wasn’t possible right now. “On it, a few villagers started arguing with him, following which he left,” he added. Zira SDM Arvinder Singh said the administration had no information regarding the visit of the officer. — OC