Chandigarh, May 23 -- The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Thursday welcomed the release of water for Haryana and hailed it as a victory for the people of the state. The party has also announced the suspension of its planned protest to block Punjab vehicles at the Haryana-Punjab border on May 25.

INLD state president Rampal Majra said the persistent struggle by the party's workers had forced Punjab to release the water, which was being withheld, leading to a severe drinking water crisis in several Haryana districts, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind, and Kaithal.

"This is a victory for the people of Haryana. Due to Punjab's earlier decision to stop the supply, both people and livestock in several districts were facing an...