0 DADU, July 2: A large number of growers of Dadu Taluka staged a demonstration, blocked the Dadu-Larkana railway tracks, and Dadu-Piaro Goth road for six hours in Piaro Goth town on Tuesday in protest against the artificial shortage of irrigation water in the Rahooja and Piaro Goth waterways.

The growers were led by the Nazim, Union Council Allahabad, Baban Panhwar, and the Nazim, Union Council Piaro Goth, Atiq-ur-Rehman Tago.

Speaking to the demonstrators, Mr Baban and Mr Atiq alleged that the irrigation officials of Sita and Dadu sub-division were selling irrigation water to some influential landlords by tampering with the watercourses which originated from the Rahooja and Piaro Goth waterways.

They said that the small and tail-end growers were the sufferers while the influential people were getting more than their share.

They appealed to the secretary, Irrigation, to take severe action against the officials involved in the water theft.

SIX ARRESTED: A constable and five drug peddlers were arrested on Tuesday for possessing charas and bhang.

The Mehar police raided Sim Nala, near Mehar town, and arrested Constable Manzoor Ali Gopang, Ashiq Ali, Hussain Bux, Muneer, Wazir, and Khamiso.