Water at gun-point: that is what rich farmers do in Bundelkhand

Irrigation water is being diverted to the fields of the rich and influential farmers by their henchmen not averse at using force.

 Reeling under the impact of drought and with water becoming a scarce commodity, Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh has spawned a new type of gun culture. In a startling development, irrigation water is reportedly being diverted to the fields of the rich and influential farmers at the point of the gun and their henchmen not averse at using force to stop the poor farmers from using the water.

With Bundelkhand comprising the seven districts of Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi and Lalitpur recording sporadic and below average rainfall for the fourth year in running, according to the State Irrigation Department, the water level in around 75 per cent reservoirs was below