Jaipur, June 24 (IANS) A 20-day-long farmers’ agitation demanding the release of water from the Panchna Dam into irrigation canals concluded on Wednesday after Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena assured protesters that water would be released within the next six days.

Addressing a massive Mahapanchayat at Khandip in Wazirpur subdivision, Meena announced that water from the Panchna Dam would begin flowing into the command area canals by July 1, benefiting farmers during both the Kharif and Rabi crop seasons.

In a statement, the minister declared that if water failed to reach the canals within the stipulated period, he would personally join farmers in a sit-in protest at the dam site.

“If water is not released into the canals by July 1, I will myself sit on dharna at the Panchna Dam along with the farmers,” Meena said.

The concluding day of the Mahapanchayat witnessed an overwhelming turnout of farmers, women, youth and elderly residents from across the region.

The large gathering transformed the protest into one of the biggest farmers’ movements seen in the area in recent years.

Thanking the protesters, Dr Meena praised the farmers for maintaining discipline and unity throughout the 20-day agitation.

He said their peaceful struggle had successfully brought the issue to the forefront and compelled the authorities to address their concerns.

Dausa MP Murari Lal Meena said the dispute over Panchna Dam water has lingered for nearly two decades, but the scale of the current movement was unprecedented.

“The participation of women, youth, children and elderly citizens shows that this issue is deeply connected with the sentiments of the region. The government must respond positively to the farmers’ demands,” he said.

Several public representatives from both the BJP and Congress attended the Mahapanchayat and voiced support for the farmers.

Gangapur City MLA Ramkesh Meena urged farmers to trust the leadership of Dr Kirodi Lal Meena, saying all elected representatives were committed to ensuring that water reaches the canals.

Mahwa MLA Rajendra Meena appealed for patience, expressing confidence that a solution was now within reach and that the long-pending demand would soon be fulfilled.

Sapotra MLA Hansraj Meena described Panchna Dam as a public asset and said its water belonged to all farmers rather than any particular group.

Bamanwas MLA Indra Meena raised concerns over the continued delay in releasing water despite court directives and demanded immediate action from the administration.

Jamwaramgarh MLA Mahendra Pal Meena said the government was working towards a positive solution and assured farmers that encouraging developments could be expected soon.

Senior farmer leader Bhagchand Saini said the movement had reached a decisive stage and expressed hope that years of struggle would finally result in justice for farmers.

Following the minister’s assurance, the Mahapanchayat committee formally announced the suspension of the agitation.

However, farmers made it clear that their next course of action would depend on whether water actually reaches the canals by July 1.

–IANS

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