Villagers allege denial of water rights

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 18

Residents of Nasibpura village in Talwandi Sabo, in a complaint to Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, ADGP Vigilance and the State Commission for SC/ST have alleged exploitation of Dalit rights in the village.

Village representatives Jagdev Singh and Angrej Singh said 24 Dalit families in Nasibpura village had got a piece of land from the government in 1960 on lease through a scheme. “The land has only one source of water for agriculture, a canal. From the last six years, some members of the Akali Dal, have changed the canal’s course and took our water forcibly exercising their political influence,” they alleged.

“We have lodged a complaint to the higher authorities in the Irrigation Department and other departments concerned. Some of the officials also wanted bribe,” the leaders said. The villagers demand that the course of the canal be turned and so that water could reach their fields.