Namdhari sect accused of damaging Sirhind canal

Since the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Roopnagar circle of the Sirhind canal strip, its executive engineer Devinder Singh Jassar had also sent copies of the complaint to the deputy commissioner Ludhiana and the SDM Samrala, seeking appropriate action.

The sect members have allegedly lifted soil from near the bank of the canal for earth-filling of land allotted to them by the Irrigation Department in late 80s. Incidentally, the land where the sect members are planning to build a spiritual park, is also close to the canal.

The lifting of soil has resulted in reduction of width of the canal bank, which now poses a threat to Poonian ad Machhiwara areas. Officials posted at the irrigation department fear that the canal can breach any time in case of heavy rain. The water flow now in the canal is 10,600 cusecs, which is far above the normal water flow of 8,000 cusecs. To avoid water scarcity in the Malwa region, the department is unable to restrict the flow.

The offence came to light after the Irrigation Department conducted a survey as a part of flood control exercise. Subsequently, the members of the sect were asked to immediately fill up the excavated land. Sources pointed out that the complaint was sent to the police due to non compliance of the advice. A visit to the site revealed that excavation has led to seepage in the fields near the canal.

On being contacted, the in charge of the proposed park land Gurcharan Singh said that the matter was in the knowledge of their Satguru who is currently out of station. He added that once he is back, they would refill the excavated land. While attributing the delay to the monsoon, he said:“ We will gear up our volunteers after the rains.”

Deputy Commissioner Arun Goel said he had not received any such complaint. He, however, assured that he would look into the matter through the SDM concerned. SHO Charan Singh Atwal of the Samrala police station said: “Where is the need to register a case when the sect members have assured that the site will be refilled.”