Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 1: Scores of farmers from Ompura area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district today protested against the encroachment of a lone irrigation canal that runs through the area.
The residents assembled at the press enclave and protested against the Irrigation Department for failing to remove the encroachments on the canal. The farmers lamented that the encroachments have blocked the canal at several places and lead to drying up of their land.
Expressing dismay over the role of Irrigation Department, the farmers alleged that despite bringing the matter to the notice of the department on several occasions, no step has been taken so far. They said though lack of irrigation facilities has taken a toll on their crop, the department has not bothered to look into the matter.
“The canal has been encroached upon and blocked. We want the Irrigation Department to look into the matter. The paddy saplings have dried up,” Abdul Majeed, a resident said, adding that the department should restore the irrigation facilities to the area.
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