Faulty wires blamed for fires; Sirsa farmers seek urgent relief

The recent incidents of fire have destroyed wheat crop over hundreds of acres across the district, causing heavy losses to farmers. The main cause of the fires is believed to be sparks from loose and damaged electricity wires. Farmers’ organisations and political leaders are demanding immediate compensation from the government.

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The Bharatiya Kisan Ekta (BKE) has sent a memorandum to the CM and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja, urging quick financial relief. BKE president Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh said faulty electric lines passing through fields posed a huge risk. In many places, wires were hanging too low, and even touching the ground. Recently, a combine harvester at Kanwarpura village caught fire due to a live wire, resulting in a farmer’s death.

Factories near villages like Moriwala, Rasulpur, Bhangu, and Sahuwala reportedly receive 24-hour power supply. Farmers claim that this constant supply has led to sparks and fires. Rupana, Ludesar, Bhangu, Darba, Suchan, and Sikanderpur villages lost hundreds of acres of wheat following such incidents. Some farmers also lost solar panels installed in their fields. Many had leased land for farming and are now left with neither food grains nor fodder for cattle.

The BKE has appealed to villagers to support affected farmers with whatever they can. During a visit to Rupana, the team said the damage was heartbreaking.

Selja said while the government claimed to fix loose wires before harvest every year, fires continue to occur because the work was often done only on paper. On Friday alone, fires across Haryana destroyed crops worth crores of rupees. She demanded a special survey (girdawari) and immediate compensation.

She also criticised the decision to cut daytime power in rural areas, while keeping factories powered. If power was off in farms, how were fires still occurring, she asked. If the government had laid underground electric cables, these accidents could have been avoided, she added.

At Nathusari Chopta’s villages Rupana Khurd and Ludesar, over 350 acres of wheat and fodder were destroyed. Local MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal visited the affected areas and promised support. He urged the CM to grant Rs 65,000-Rs 70,000 per acre as compensation. Many farmers had leased land for Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000 per acre per year and are now facing serious financial trouble.