(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Public representatives in central Uruzgan province allege the Afghan National Army has diverted the flow of irrigation water in Chora district, leaving planted crops and orchards in many areas to dry.
Provincial Council (PC) member from Chora district Noor Mohammad Haqmal told Pajhwok that the military personnel had blocked off the flow of water in four irrigation canals in Kala Ragh area and other areas over the past few weeks.
As a result, crops planted on nearly 50 acres of land were drying, said Haqmal, who was part of a delegation from the district, which visited the governor's house in connection with the water issue.
A number of farmers from Chora district visited the PC office in Tirinkot and Haqmal accompanied them to the governor's house. However, Haqmal said the problem was yet to be resolved.
He alleged the military personnel had been refusing to abide by orders of their seniors and threatened local farmers with elimination if they released water in the canals.
The military men opened fire at some farmers who wanted to release the blocked water, injuring four, according to Haqmal.
Another Urugan PC member Abdul Karim Khadimzai also said the water issue in Chora district had been ongoing over the past few days and the authorities concerned should resolve it.
He told Pajhwok most of victims of the conflict in Uruzgan were civilians and the Taliban
A resident of Chora district, who did not want to be named, said the Afghan military personnel had blocked off the flow of canal water in their area over the past few weeks.
He said farmers had many times visited the district administration office and the governor's house to find a solution to the issue, but their efforts bore no fruits.
The Uruzgan governor's spokesman, Mohammad Nayab, said the provincial government had launched an investigation into the people's allegation.
Recently the Taliban had also claimed the government forces diverted canal waters in Chora district, leaving people's crops and orchards to dry.
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