INLD-BSP launch agitation for completion of SYL canal

Several INLD and BSP activists, including Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala, today courted arrest seeking completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the BSP, which recently entered into an alliance in Haryana, began their 'Jail Bharo' protest here. The parties have plans to stage similar agitations in several parts of the state.

Chautala, INLD and BSP state presidents Ashok Arora and Prakash Bharati, Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala, senior INLD leader Ram Pal Majra, members of the INLD legislative party and the BSP's state body were taken into custody, an INLD spokesman said.

The spokesman said that BSP's Narendra Verma and Joginder Kayala were also taken into custody.

Police said they were later released.

The Centre, which was directed by the Supreme Court to complete the canal's construction, is sitting over the directive for the past 18 months even after the final disposal of the dispute, Abhay Singh Chautala alleged.

He also accused the central and state governments of conspiring against the interests of Haryana.

The INLD leader said while the Centre was dragging its feet over the issue, the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government was trying to give a new dimension to the already settled matter of the rivers water to find a new excuse to delay the canal's completion.

The insensitive Centre and the Haryana government do not seem to realise that the state is staring at a manmade disaster because of delay of its legitimate share from the rivers water, he claimed.

He said even at this moment south Haryana is slipping into a "dark zone" in regard to groundwater.

Much of the development in the state's southern part was undertaken as it was believed that the water needs of the region, both agricultural and residential, would be adequately met after water from the rivers is brought to the area through the SYL canal, he said.

Now, it appears that the BJP, both in Delhi and the state, is insensitive to the needs of the people of Haryana and that this region is on the brink of becoming barren, he claimed.

Therefore, to safeguard the interests of the farmers and the people of the state, the INLD is prepared to make any sacrifice, Abhay Singh Chautala said.

He also said this struggle of the INLD has now been boosted with the support of the BSP and he was confident that their joint efforts will ultimately succeed in getting desired results.