KOHIMA, JULY 16: Minister for Social Security & Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie Saturday visited the terrace fields under Jotsoma village which were destroyed by spilled oil that entered the fields on July 8 last.
The minister was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rovilato Mor, members from the NPF Farmers’ Wing led by its president Lanukaba and party workers from both NPF Kohima division and the constituency.
After inspecting the damaged fields, a short interaction was held with the villagers of Jotsoma and the affected families. The minister, while sharing disappointment over the incident, assured to render his support to help the farmers from the government side. He also asked the district administration to assist the farmers in whatever way possible, so that relief is granted to them at the earliest.
The minister, who is also the MLA of the 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency, during the visit, donated an amount of Rs one lakh to the farmers as immediate assistance on his part.
It may be mentioned that just last week on July 8, some irresponsible citizens purportedly spilled oil which entered some of the terrace fields through a small stream Kezharü, above Dzüdza river.
Deputy Commissioner Rovilato Mor, in his address, also assured the farmers on behalf of the district administration to render all possible help.
The DC, while informing that he had directed the police department to set up a team to investigate the matter, expressed hope that the culprit(s) would be caught, so that justice is delivered to the affected farmers.
While stating that the district administration had received all the reports about the said incident through the SDO (Civil) Sechü circle, he said the matter had been discussed during the DPDB meeting held on July 15.
“Though this is a man-made calamity, the District Disaster Management Authority will study and discuss about the case and come forward to assist in whatever way possible,” Mor said.
In being a witness to the damaged fields where majority of the affected farmers have sowed paddy plants for the second time, he shared his concern as to whether the new planted paddy would be able to survive. To this, he said the concerned authority, through the agriculture department, would continue to inspect the damaged fields even in the future.
Speaking at the occasion, NPF Farmers’ Wing president Lanukaba Ao, condemned the act of those irresponsible citizens, while he urged the district administration and police department to investigate the matter and bring the culprit(s) to the notice of the public.
“Having the intention to destroy terrace fields is a big crime, and therefore the culprit(s) should not be spared,” he asserted adding that leniency should not be shown to the culprit(s) once they were caught.
Lanukaba also said the NPF Farmers’ Wing would approach the government to grant relief to the affected families at the earliest.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Kosievito Nisa, thanked the minister Kiyanilie, the district administration and
NPF party workers for their concern and assistance. He also thanked the team from the Agriculture department and the National Food Security for inspecting the paddy fields yesterday.
Meanwhile, the farmers have also extended appreciation to the Western Angami Youth Organisation and Jotsoma villagers for all the help and support.
NPF Kohima Division president, Goneiu Sirie, and the Jostoma Village Council chairman, Pfüzhalie Nakhro, among others, were also present during the visit.
