Bannur: In a gut-wrenching incident, a plantation farm in Athalli village limits near Bannur was completely destroyed by miscreants on Dec.31 night and the incident came to light on Jan.1

The one-and-a-half acre farm belongs to Ramprasad and he had grown plantains. In another two months, the plantains were ready for picking. However, on the night of Dec.31, the miscreants entered the farm and destroyed the plantain crops.

In the morning when the owner’s children went to the farm, they were shocked to see the plantain trees with leaves on the ground. Ramprasad who had borrowed money from private lenders had put his heart and soul into growing bananas. It is said that a few persons became jealous on seeing the crop and destroyed it.

The farm lies adjoining the Kunthanahalli village and there is lot of movement of people. In spite of this, on the eve of New Year, miscreants have destroyed around 1,900 plants. The owner had gone to Shivamogga on some work and his children Vinaya Prasad and Vijaya Prasad had gone to Mysuru. Those who knew of their absence must have indulged in this heinous act, said the farmer leaders.

Cane Growers Association Organising Secretary Athalli Devaraju said one can understand from this incident how there is no protection to the farmers or the crops in the State. “I am really concerned about my friend who had taken loan and invested it in the farm to grow bananas. When one sees the destruction, anyone will have tears in their eyes. The miscreants should be identified and the loss made good,” he urged.

District General Secretary Kirangur Shankar said, nearly Rs. three lakh worth of crops has been destroyed. The Police department should immediately take action and arrest the miscreants.

If Fasal Bhima Scheme of the Government is introduced to the cane and plantain growers too, then when such incidents occur, they can be covered.

Already the incident has been brought to the notice of Taluk Tahsildar and Horticulture Department and steps should be taken to see that such incidents do not occur again, he demanded.