HYDERABAD 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 to protest against the acute shortage of water in the channels of Naseer division of the Irrigation Department.

The protesting farmers said water had not been released in 22 waterways of Naseer division for the 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 the 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 their grievances had not been addressed.

A meeting was arranged between the growers representatives and irrigation officials at the district police officer`s office. The growers were assured that they would be provided water without delay. Thereafter, the protest sit-in at irrigation office was called off.