HYDERABAD, Sept 10: Hundreds of tail-end farmers of Matli, Tando Allahyar and Chambar talukas staged demonstrations on the premises of Shahbaz Building and outside the press club here on Wednesday in protest against acute shortage of water in the channels of Naseer division of the Irrigation Department.

President Sindh Tail Farmers Welfare Board, Gul Mohammad Sirewal, General Secretary Mohammad Ayoub Leghari and others said that water had not been released in 22 waterways of Naseer division for last six months rendering tens of thousands of acres of fertile land barren.

They said water was being stolen by influential landholders whose lands were located at the heads of channels. They said cotton, chilli, onion and other crops of tail-end growers valued at tens of millions of rupees were being destroyed.

They complained that they had approached the irrigation officials, including secretary irrigation but of no use.

They appealed to Sindh chief minister and irrigation minister to take notice of the injustices being committed against tail-end growers and ensure supply of irrigation water to them without delay.

Later, hundreds of farmers staged a sit-in on the premises of irrigation office. Officials and staff of the Irrigation Department took to their heels.

Later, a delegation of growers was summoned to DPO’s office where irrigation officials were also called. Talks were held between the farmers and irrigation officials wherein growers were assured that they will be provided irrigation water without delay.

Thereafter, the protest sit-in at irrigation office was called off.

PPP: The PPP has achieved its objective by restoring democracy in the country, said political advisor to Sindh chief minister, Nazar Mohammad Gaho.

He was speaking at a public gathering at Tambora Chowk in Bhitshah. Local leadership of the PPP brought out a rally from the residence of Syed Peeral Shah to celebrate the victory of Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari in presidential elections.

He said the PPP always brought the country out of crises and hopefully it will play the same role during the present crisis. He said the PPP had a track record of struggle and sacrifices to safeguard political, social and economic rights of people.

Mr. Gaho announced that Benazir Bhutto food cards would be released shortly to provide relief to poor people.

He said that the management of Utility Store Corporation had been directed to make all edible items and essential commodities available at their stores and strictly enforce concessional prices. Gaho warned against breaking the law and said that constitutional rights of people would be protected at any cost.

Later, Mr Gaho, Mr Shah and other local leaders of PPP laid floral wreath on the mazaar of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and offered Fateha.