FIR registered against pouring poison in water; Wasa denies charge; police say inquiry underway and those involved will be booked
ISLAMABAD: Surprisingly, hundreds of fish have been found dead in Rawal Damhere on Saturday. According to the First Information Report (FIR) which registered with the Secretariat Police Station that fish died due to pouring of poisonous substance. On the other hand,Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) stated that poison had not been found in the water of Rawal Dam.WASA’s denial came after a large number of fish died at the Rawal Damand a First Information Report (FIR) had been filed against a localmafia for pouring poison into the dam. Deputy Director Fisheries Department Islamabad,Muhammad Sadiq Buzdar registered FIR that people from the mafia were stopped fishing and boating in the dam as it is banned. A major operation was carried out by ICT against themafia and 20 boats were confiscated while five personswere arrested. This action, he said, irked mafia which has added poisonous material into the water that has killed huge numbers of fish in the last few days and others are dying on daily basis. He also said that public at large is now at risk due to apprehensions of deaths of fish and serious dangers to health. He demanded strict action against those responsible of this act. The police officials said that investigation is underway into thematter and those involved in this act would be booked. According toWater and Sanitation Agency (WASA) they test water samples fromRawal Dam every day and so far nothing has been found out regarding poisonous substance being present in the dam. Following the development, water supply to Rawalpindi was suspended on the request of WASA. According to WASA, a 24/7 tanker servicewould to use for water supply in Rawalpindi, adding that supply would be increased from Khanpur Dam. The administration officials added that fish and water samples are being tested and supply to the city will resume after the report has been completed. Pakistan Army personnel also reached the site to collect water samples. However, the case was filed at Secretariat police station, while the relevant authorities have taken water samples from the dam. When contacted official spokesman for WASA Umar Farooq said they test water samples from Rawal Dam every day and so far nothing has been found regarding poisonous substance being present in the dam. The dam provides an estimated 24 million gallons of water to Rawalpindi daily.