Punjab police tasked with preventing water theft, canal breaches

The increased incidents of water theft and canal breaches has forced Punjab Chief Minister Punjab to take notice of it and approve provision of one ASI and four constables to each division of the Irrigation department.

The Irrigation department will have the assistance of police in its all the 26 divisions in the province. The government has also directed the police stations for registering Anti Terrorism Act cases against those involved in making deliberate breaches and cuts in the canals.

Meanwhile, the water theft cases will be considered as non-bailable offence. DPOs and the executive engineers will meet on regular basis to ensure cases against the accused.

Punjab government has sent instructions to all the DPOs and DCOs, the copy of which is available with ARY News for adopting strict possible measures against those involved in water theft. The IGP was also directed to convey all the DPOs about recent amendments in Canal Drainage Act 1873 which provides that offence of unauthorized irrigation (water theft) shall be cognizable and non-bailable for its enforcement.

The chief minister has also constituted high level committee under minister irrigation with secretary irrigation and home secretary as its members to monitor the steps for controlling water theft incidents.