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New conflict over distribution of irrigation water

JAIPUR: Rajasthan is witnessing the emergence of yet another conflict zone over distribution of irrigation water in the State with farmers upstream of the Panchana dam in Karauli district and those from villages downstream massing at two places threatening to confront each other.

The upstream group is keeping a vigil at the dam to prevent the Irrigation authorities from opening the sluice gates while those below have threatened to march to the dam site to forcibly open the gates.

Prohibitory orders are in force in the whole of Karauli district while the police are keeping a strict vigil on the areas bordering the neighbouring district of Sawai Madhopur as well. “The mobs are standing still at two places at a distance of some 15 km. We don’t expect any immediate confrontation though we need to remain alert,” said Rajvir Singh, Station House Officer of the Kotwali station in Karauli, talking to this correspondent on phone on Thursday.

The dam, which used to be the source of water to the world famous Keoladeo National Park and some 60 farmers’ villages downstream, has been a bone of contention ever since its height was increased in 2003. The situation worsened two years ago as the local farmers forcibly stopped the authorities from releasing water thus depriving both birds and farmers of water in winter months.

“Farmers have no other option but to march up to the dam and confront those who are stopping the water,” said Suresh Meena, MLA of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Mr. Meena is among the crowd that has massed downstream Vazirpur where farmers from the tehsils of Gangapur, Hinduan and Toda Bhim have gathered.

“This is very frustrating. The dam has enough water this time. Even when they don’t use the available water themselves, they are stopping its release,” he observed.

The worst part of the present conflict is perhaps the fact that the groups confronting each other are Gujjars and Meenas, already engaged in a bitter rivalry over the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the former.

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