Commissioner orders crackdown on canal water theft

LAHORE – Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousaf has directed the district administrations, Irrigation Department, police and prosecution authorities to take strict action against those involved in canal water theft ahead of the wheat sowing season in November. Chairing a meeting on canal water theft, here on Tuesday, the commissioner said every farmer had a right to canal water and stressed that coordinated efforts were essential to prevent its illegal diversion. He directed the formation of special committees in all districts of Lahore Division to curb the menace and instructed deputy commissioners and district police officers to review the situation and monitor enforcement measures on a weekly basis. The commissioner also directed the Irrigation Department to geo-tag canals and carry out round-the-clock operations against those involved in water theft. Regional Police Officer Sheikhupura Range Athar Ismail, who attended the meeting, said the issue was not merely about stealing water allocated to an individual farmer but also involved the theft of a state resource. He directed the police to promptly register FIRs on complaints submitted through formal legal proceedings and arrest those involved in canal water theft. The meeting was attended by RPO Sheikhupura Range Athar Ismail, DIG Operations Lahore Dr Faisal Kamran, Additional Commissioner Bilal Hassan and chief engineers of the Lahore and Faisalabad regions. Deputy commissioners and district police officers of the four districts participated through video link.