Farmers protest in Kathua, demand immediate desilting
Jammu : Dozens of farmers held a protest against authorities for failing to desilt Kathua Khad and remove encroachments, after spate destroyed paddy and cattle fodder sown on over 40 kanals of agricultural land.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protesting farmers said Kathua Khad is the main outlet for rainwater from Kathua town. During last year’s flash floods it filled with silt up to the top, and when in spate during rains the water enters agricultural land.
Two days ago, heavy rains caused the entire Khad water to breach into fields, washing away paddy plants and fodder sown for cattle.The farmers whose crops were washed away said they faced huge losses and urged authorities to start immediate desilting of the Khad and remove all encroachments over its land so water flows smoothly. They also demanded a ban on dumping polythene in the Khad, which they said was creating health hazards.
Divinder Singh, a political leader of the area, said crops of over a dozen farmers were destroyed. “It was normal rainfall which created havoc for farmers and the situation will aggravate during heavy monsoon rains, so authorities need to take immediate steps,” he said.
Deep Singh, an affected farmer whose paddy on 10 kanals was washed away, warned that if authorities failed to desilt the Khad immediately and remove encroachments, farmers would be forced to take to the streets.
