The farmers of Kallarmajri village in Nabha were left shocked as bails of last year’s paddy straw went up in flames here on Thursday. The village was adopted by the state government and presented as a model village to the National Green Tribunal, with an aim to achieve zero stubble burning target.
The farmers had faced protests from many kisan unions, who were reportedly pressurising the farmers of the village to not support the government. The unions had allegedly asked the farmers to continue to burn stubble till the state government announces cost compensation of stubble management.
However, the villagers had vowed not to burn stubble and go with the state’s experiment. The village had achieved zero stubble burning and the farmers were honoured by the government. They had also been given incentives in April.
The farmers had stacked up bails of paddy straw, procured from around 250 acre last year, on a common village land. The straw of around 115 acre was sold out.
On Wednesday, straw on around 30 acre had turned into ashes. Further loss was controlled by the fire brigade.
In a similar incident, straw on around 15 acre was gutted in February, said the villagers. The farmers said that they are suspicious of foul play and have demanded an inquiry into the incident. The villagers also expressed their concern over lack of proper storage facility for the straw.
{{/usCountry}}In a similar incident, straw on around 15 acre was gutted in February, said the villagers. The farmers said that they are suspicious of foul play and have demanded an inquiry into the incident. The villagers also expressed their concern over lack of proper storage facility for the straw.
{{/usCountry}}Bhadson assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Lakhvir Singh said that they are investigating the matter. “It is difficult to comment on the cause of the mishap at the moment,” he said.