Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked chief minister Bhagwant Mann to immediately order cancellation of a “false” case registered against 32 farmers of Fazilka district who were booked in a water theft case despite the fact that the canal distributary was running dry.

SAD chief said it was shocking that 32 farmers of Chak Sotrian, Chak Maujdin Wala, Dhand Karyal, Arianwala, Bahmani wala and Chak Totianwala had been false implicated in a water theft case on charges of stealing water from the Barkatwah minor distributary.

Badal said the Irrigation department officials, who were failing in their duty to provide requisite water to farmers of the State, were victimizing farmers including Akali workers. Those booked include four brothers of SAD leader Hans Raj Josan.

Badal said the Irrigation department officials, who were failing in their duty to provide requisite water to farmers of the State, were victimizing farmers including Akali workers. Those booked include four brothers of SAD leader Hans Raj Josan. He said that the AAP government was not only failing to provide timely water in the State canals but had also failed to check the inflow of industrial and sewage pollutants into the Sutlej and Beas rivers.

He said that the AAP government was not only failing to provide timely water in the State canals but had also failed to check the inflow of industrial and sewage pollutants into the Sutlej and Beas rivers.

“We have witnessed how the entire water has been polluted and rendered black at Harike head works only a few days back. Instead of taking action in this matter and ensuring supply of clean water for both irrigation and drinking water purposes to farmers of Ferozepur parliamentary constituency, the government is victimizing farmers. We will not tolerate this discrimination against the farmers and in case the false cases are not withdrawn the party will launch an agitation against the vendetta driven AAP government”, the SAD president added.

SAD president demanded that water supply be started in all canal distributaries immediately to ensure farmers are able to sow the paddy nursery in time. He also demanded smooth and uninterrupted supply of power, saying rampant power cuts had destroyed the livelihood of vegetable growers and could affect paddy cultivation also.