KHAIRPUR, July 20: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Basheer Khan Qureshi has said that shortage of water in the Indus River was artificial as Punjab was taking water through illegal canals and it has some political reasons behind it.

He was speaking at various gatherings in Kotdiji and Kingri during a visit to Khairpur district on Tuesday.

He said the motive was to destroy agriculture of Sindh so that the people may live in economic distress.

He further said that such plans of Punjab had been successful as 40 per cent of agriculture had so far been destroyed and the rural people were made to live below the poverty line.

He called upon the people to participate in a demonstration on July 21, on the National Highway at the Babarloi bypass against shortage of water, arrest and detention of Dr Safdar Sarki, Asif Baladi and other JSQM workers.

BOOKED: Some 15 growers were booked with the Faiz Ganj police on the charges of water theft on Wednesday night. The SDO irrigation of Faiz Ganj lodged an FIR with the Faiz Ganj police stating that on Monday night, he found some 15 growers stealing irrigation water at RD-26, RD-27 and RD-29, water course 5-L and other areas of the Veeho Wah.

Mohammad Alam Bhambhan, Atta Mohammad Bhambhan, Mohid Ali Khaskheli,

Rasool Bux Channa,

Mushtaq Magsi, Nawaz Ali Chandio, Rajib Chandio, Zahid Ali Rajpar, Haji Abdul Ghafoor, Hadi Bux Shar, Gulzar Ahmed Shar, Illahi Bux, Punhal and Mauj Ali were nominated in the FIR.