Dera ismail khan: The district administration and irrigation department have launched a crackdown on habitual water thieves, with 10 people being sent to jail for 15 days for illegally drawing water from the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC).
A special task force comprising officials of the irrigation and revenue departments and police personnel has been formed to monitor the canal and take action against illegal water use. Led by Assistant Commissioner Dr Muhammad Hamid Siddiq, the task force inspected various sections of the CRBC and identified illegal pipes and other installations being used to draw water from the canal.
The 10 people allegedly involved in water theft were arrested and produced before the assistant commissioner’s court. After violations of the Canal and Drainage Act, 1873, the court ordered their imprisonment for 15 days.
The officials said water theft deprived farmers at the tail-end of the canal of their due share of irrigation water, affecting agricultural production.
The district administration warned that action would continue against illegal cuts, pipes, pumps and other machinery used to draw canal water without authorisation. Farmers and other concerned people were directed to comply with their allocated water share and follow the prescribed legal procedures.
