BIKANER, Oct. 1 -- Farmers protesting inadequate irrigation water in parts of Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar districts have disrupted the Panchayat election process and threatened to boycott the polls, escalating their agitation even as the irrigation department has announced five water turns for 2026-27 rabi season. Farmers protesting under the Khet Bachao Kisan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti stopped the panchayat reservation lottery at Gharsana, linking their participation in the polls to demands for irrigation water. Farmer leader Shyopat Meghwal has been among the representatives in talks with the administration. The agitation has been centred in the Gharsana-Anupgarh area of Sri Ganganagar district and has also spread to Khajuwala and other first-stage command areas of Bikaner district. The farmers have been demanding more assured water for the rabi crop, including water for two of the four groups under the canal regulation system. They have also sought special girdawari and compensation for kharif crop losses. Amid the agitation, the irrigation department has issued the regulation programme on Wednesday for the rabi season, providing five irrigation turns up to January 27. Indira Gandhi Canal Project chief engineer Vivek Goyal said that based on an expected 41.11% water availability, five turns have been scheduled while keeping farmers irrigation requirements and available resources in view.htc...