MNA Jamshed Dasti was beaten by those affected by the floods in the rural areas of Muzaffargarh district on Monday. The mob blamed Dasti for reportedly saving the urban area of Muzaffargarh by breaching the Doaba dyke, while the rural areas were inundated. The crowd also attacked the officials of the district administration and district police officer. DPO Muzaffargarh Rai Zameer ul Haq received minor injuries as the officials were attacked.
A crowd of more than 800 protesters gathered on Monday evening after water entered the rural areas of Muzaffargarh. They carried sticks with them as they positioned themselves near the breach at Doaba dyke. Floodwater entered Muzaffargarh city after it reached Taliri Canal and spread to the surrounding areas of Muradabad and Thatha Sialan. In order to ease pressure at the canal, the district administration breached Doaba dyke in two places on Sunday. Dasti was attacked when he was unable to justify the breach in the dyke. He escaped on a motorcycle and received minor injuries.
The protesters demanded that Muzaffargarh city be inundated and their agricultural lands saved.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2014.