Small growers have complained of worst shortage of irrigation water in 18 branches and waterways in Mehar taluka of Dadu district. Growers staged a two-kilometre-long march from Gahi Mahisar village to Mehar bypass against shortages of irrigation water. They demanded release of water till tail-end of 18 waterways in Mehar taluka. They were led by Sikandar Sodhar, Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Sarwar and Muneer Sodhar. Addressing the participants of the march at Mehar bypass, Sikandar Sodhar said that worst water crisis had hit Kakool Wah, Raj Wah, Salih Shah, Dhamrah Wah, Mehar branch, Gul Mohammad Wah, Langhano Shakh, Sahar Shakh, Mado Shakh, Kando Wah, Gul Wah, Naseer Wah, Bahawal Shakh, Khondhi Wah, Ganjrot Shakh and Qaim Shakh in Mehar taluka. He said that at the head of all those waterways and branches, influential landlords were stealing water through pipelines and water pumps. He said that due to stealing of water at the head of those branches and waterways, around 300,000 acres of land might turn barren. Muneer Sodhar said that in the said areas, more than 200,000 people living in different villages were facing acute shortages of drinking water. He said that ponds of all 20 water supply schemes in Mehar taluka had dried up, adding to the woes of the people. Ghulam Sarwar said that local officials of the irrigation department were protecting the landlords stealing water at the head of waterways and branches. He demanded that the Sindh government immediately launch a drive against water theft in the area. It is pertinent to mention here that the affected small growers of Mehar have been protesting against water shortage for the past two weeks. Over in KN Shah, affected farmers also staged a demonstration in Gozo Town area against shortage of irrigation water at the tail-end of Rice Canal, Khudawah and Sim Shakh. They were led by Hafiz Hajan Leghari, Mohammad Ramzan, Abdul Rashid Chandio and Abdul Ghaffar Chandio. Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Hajan Leghari complained that due to shortage of irrigation water, around 100,000 acres of land had turned barren. He complained that all watercourses were tampered with at the head of canals, creating an artificial water crisis. Abadgars also staged a demonstration in Johi city against acute shortage of irrigation water in Johi branch. They marched on various roads and observed a token hunger strike in front of the Johi Press Club.