TOBA TEK SINGH, Oct 8: Ruling party MNA Mian Farhan Latif claimed here on Sunday that solid steps were being taken to overcome the irrigation water shortage in villages at tail-ends of the Jhang and Gogera canal branches.

During his visit to the villages along with DCO Nawazish Ali and Jhang irrigation department executive engineer Khawar Nazir Warraich, he announced that the Lower Jhang Branch canal would not be closed from Oct 10 to 25 for desilting and heavy machinery would be used for the purpose.

A day earlier (Saturday), the farmers of the affected villages had taken out a protest rally against the irrigation water shortage which, they said, had damaged their crops spreading over acres of land.

CONCERN: Former municipal committee vice-chairman Mian Muhammad Shahid has expressed concern over shortage of teaching staff in a special education school.

In a press statement issued here on Sunday, he regretted that the special children had been facing a great deal of difficulty in seeking education. He demanded immediate appointment of the required staff in the school.

ROBBERS HELD: The Elite force policemen arrested four robbers near Chuttiana on Saturday night.

Reports said four armed men tried to deprive a policeman of his motorcycle on a link road. In the meantime, an Elite Force pick-up reached there and the gangsters fled towards Chak 346-GB.