Electric wire theft threatens Barind boro irrigation
Boro farming on 90 acres of land in Barind multipurpose irrigation project under Sadullapur upazila came to a halt early Sunday as criminals took away 1200 metres electric wire, connecting the power pump machines.
Locals said over 60 farmers cannot prepare their land and transplant Boro seedlings due to lack of water as power pump machines have been lying idle for the last two days.
If water supply is not restored immediately, Boro cultivation in the area will face a serious setback, said Mahbubar Rahman, one of the affected farmers of Khorda Ruhea village.
The project authorities filed a case with Sadullapur Police Station on Monday, but police could not arrest or recover the stolen electric wire as of 5:00pm yesterday.
Irrigation of land is a must for transplanting Boro seedlings during this peak season. But we don't know how long it will take to restore power connection, said Mukul Chandra Sarker of Khorda Patanocha village.
The irrigation project is run through co-operative system and the farmers are to replace any missing electric wire or damaged equipment of power pump,said Shamsuzzoha Ranga, operator of the project.
At present, it will be difficult for the poor farmers to manage Tk 50,000 to buy fresh electric wires to restore power supply to the pump machines, he added.
Contacted, Abdul Jalil Sarkar, officer in-charge of Sadullapur Police Station, said they have launched a drive to recover the stolen wires and arrest the culprits.
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