Farmer arrested for 'stealing' water in drought-hit Bundelkhand

Picture for representation only.

New Delhi: A 55-year-old farmer was arrested for allegedly stealing water from Urmil dam in drought-hit Mahoba of Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh. 

Hira Lal Yadav is accused of damaging a valve of the dam and diverting the water to his fields through a small canal. 

However, his family claimed that the valve was already broken and he just utilised the leaking water by diverting it to his fields. They said that the water department officials were framing him to hide their own mistakes. 

Quoting Gaurav Singh, Superintendent of Police of Mahoba, a report in NDTV said, "Hiralal damaged a valve of a water pipeline and stored water in a pit, using it for agriculture. This complaint was filed by Joint engineer of Mahoba Jal Sansthan and so we have booked him user section 430, 353 and damaging government property."

Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh is facing severe drought for third year in a row. 

Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help in tackling the drought in the state.