Our Correspondent

Fazilka, July 22

The state government has cracked the whip on affluent persons and farmers for allegedly stealing water from non-perennial canals in Fazilka district.

As many as 33 persons have been booked on the allegation of organised theft of canal water. However, no one has been arrested. SDO Tehal Singh said nearly 80 pipes laid illegally on different canals had been confiscated during the past few days.

Farmers, whose land fall at the tail-end of canals, had blocked Fazilka-Abohar national highway on Tuesday on the allegation that the canals were almost running dry due to paucity of water.