Five more booked for stubble burning, Rohtas farmers threaten stir

PATNA: A fresh case of stubble burning lodged against five farmers in Rohtas district is set to trigger protests by the Akhil Bharatiya Kishan Mahasabha, which has threatened to launch an agitation if the farmers’ “oppression” did not stop.
On Saturday, a fresh FIR was registered with Kochas police station in Rohtas district against five farmers for allegedly burning paddy straw in violation of the district magistrate’s order.The accused Parmeshwar Kumar, Jyoti Singh, Niranjan Patel and Alok Kumar are from of Rampur village while Nirmal Kumar Choudhary belongs to Kapasia village.
Additional SHO of Kochas police station Satya Kishore Singh said block resource centre incharge Shailesh Singh lodged the case against the five for burning stubble in their agricultural land, which had its adverse impact on environment. “So far none of the accused has been arrested,” he said over phone on Sunday.
The farmers have been booked under Sections 187, 178, 278, 284, 285, 291, 296 and 435 of IPC besides Section 15 of Environment Act 1986, Satya said, adding that the accused is liable for imprisonment up to seven years Section 435 of IPC.
On November 24, Mantosh Kumar of Kargahar police station area in the same district was booked by the BRC incharge Sanjay Kumar Singh for burning the produce in agricultural land.
Taking exception to the police action, Kisan Mahasabha district president Ramashanker said they would first appeal to the district authorities not to initiate legal action against the farmers in the region till alternative arrangements were made. “If they don’t pay heed to our demand, we will resort to direct action,” he said.
When contacted, Rohtas DM Pankaj Dixit said an awareness campaign for the farmers has been launched in the district. “The agriculture department officials are holding meetings in rural areas, especially at panchayat level, to make the farmers aware of the far-reaching consequences of straw burning in their fields,” he added.
When asked about any representation by the Kisan Mahasabha, Dixit said, “So far nobody has contacted me. The main purpose behind police action is to deter farmers from burning agricultural produce in their fields and not to harm them,” he added.
He, however, said no lapses either by the officials concerned or the farmers would be tolerated.