Southern Asia

Militants block work at the Wular Conservation Project (Wular Dam) construction site in the Baramulla District of India – a project opposed by Pakistan. Officials suggest that these militants may have been sent by Pakistan because of their concerns that the project is in violation of Pakistani interests under the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Sources said that eight of the 16 militants who stopped work of the Project are Pakistani nationals. India says the dam is not in violation…

Women from the village of Rasooh are reportedly assaulted for attempting to take water from a village well. The tensions over water are related to long-standing tensions between caste groups but have been worsened by drought and water shortage.

In Karachi, rival sects of the Taliban fight for the control of water by controlling infrastructure and land.

Thousands of farmers in Karnataka try to prevent the release of water from two dams (Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini) on the Kaveri River. Injuries to protestors and police are reported. The water releases are ordered by the Indian Supreme Court, which requires Karnataka to deliver water downstream state of Tamil Nadu despite severe drought. The dispute continues later in the year when Karnataka again halts releases.

Scuffles and protests break out around New Delhi during the summer of 2012 as residents surround water delivery trucks and fight over water. The summer is the hottest in 33 years, leading to extensive energy and water shortages.

The Catholic Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka accuses the Sri Lankan army of shooting unarmed protesters and desecrating a church during demonstrations against water contamination. In the incident, at least six people are reported killed and more than 50 others wounded. Thousands of residents were protesting against the contamination of groundwater supply to 15 local villages, allegedly by chemical waste from a rubber glove factory.