KOHIMA, JULY 13: Six terrace fields under Jotsoma village were completely destroyed as spilled-oil entered the fields leading to total destruction of the entire paddy plantation.
More terrible with the news of the destruction was that, the effort of the six family households who depend on agriculture for livelihood, will go down in vain as the spilled-oil have ruined the entire paddy which were planted a few weeks ago.
After being informed about the incident, a group of journalists immediately rushed to the spot to gather information from the farmers. The destroyed terrace fields are located below the National Highway 29, above Dzüdza river.
There at the spot, it was discovered that the oils were spilled, not accidentally, but intentionally at Kezharü, a small stream above Dzüdza river. There was also no sign of vehicle accidents, as the oils were spilled above the national highway.
Talking to media persons at the spot, Razouneikho Nakhro, one of the paddy field owners, regretted that the effort of his family for the last six months (From January-June 2016), had been destroyed by the act of some ‘irresponsible citizens’.
“We suspect that the oil could have been spilled intentionally by some depot owners who sell adulterated oil,” one of the farmers present at the site said, suspecting that the ongoing effort of ACAUT (Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation) in checking adulterated oil must have led to this action. He added that the depot owners must have spilled-out the oil with the fear of being caught by ACAUT.The exact date when the oils were spilled could not be traced, but the farmers informed that they came to know about it on Saturday.
The farmers said they have informed the district administration about the incident by submitting a complaint letter along with photographs to the SDO (Civil), Sechü circle on July 11, while they have also filed an FIR at Sechü Zubza Police Station today.
The affected farmers are Thekrunguto Medoze, Kokehesie Suokhrie, Kosievito Nisa, Viliebeinyü Nakhro, Sedevilie Gwirie and Razouneikho Nakhro, all from Jotsoma village.
It was informed that most of the farmers have completed sowing the paddy during the last week of June. Just when the farmers have labored so hard for almost half a year, within few weeks, they were placed in a position of helplessness. It is regrettable that their six months effort to make a living had been completely shattered by actions of some irresponsible citizens.
Meanwhile, the Western Angami Youth Organization (WAYO) has condemned the ‘irresponsible action’ within its jurisdiction.
“This is the act of some irresponsible citizens who have intentionally spilled the oil knowing that there are paddy fields below the highway. Whosoever it may be, strong action will be taken once caught,” said a release issued by WAYO president Neidilhoutuo Sechü and vice president Neizevolie Nakhro.
The organisation also requested the district administration and disaster management authority to visit the affected paddy fields and grant relief accordingly, while it also appealed the concerned authority to investigate the matter to find out the culprit(s).
