Srinagar, Jun 3: (GNS) Administration in Kupwara has urged residents of the red zone declared areas to avoid visiting paddy fields amid the threat of novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Locals from Muqam-i-Shahwali and adjacent areas told GNS, on phone, that with the paddy planting season already set in, the law enforcement agencies have not been allowing them to visit the fields sending the local populace into dilemma.
“The move has put us in a serious dilemma as how we are supposed to go with this agricultural activity”, a local said adding that, “if god forbidden the land remains barren we will have to go hungry for the whole year.”
“We don’t know how the administration is going to tackle this important issue,” another local said.
When contacted over the issue, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Anshul Gargh told GNS that, “the administration has already directed agriculture department to facilitate the households with plantation of paddy sapling.”
“As communicated by Chief Agricultural Officer, the concerned department has sown around thirty-five quintals of seed suitable to be around twelve-hundred kanals which is ready for transplantation to these areas”, the officer said, adding “the residents need to contact the department while avoiding to venturing out to the fields on their own.”
“I will direct the concerned department to disseminate the information and generate awareness about this initiative at the earliest to allay the anxiety of local populace”, the officer added.
Meanwhile, Chief Agricultural Officer (CAO) Kupwara, Muzzaffar Hurra seconded the statement of Deputy Commissioner.
“Our department has taken this one of a unique initiative to facilitate the people belonging to red zone areas in the district particularly to Muqam-i-Shahwali”, official said, adding, “instead of creating any law and order situation the people need to approach us through proper channels. Even then, I would take this medium to inform the public to reach us on the official contact numbers. For Arampora Zone, Agricultural Extension Assistant, Arshid Hussain can be reached at 7006262593 and Ishfaq Ahmad Pir can be reached at 7889610337”, the official said.
“The people need not to panic about anything for we already have disbursed the saplings to around twenty-six households from Muqam-i-Shahwali and Andherhama areas”, the official said, adding “If any household needs help reach out to us at earnest.”
Pertinent to mention here, that some locals from Muqam-i-Shahwali were today morning briefly detained at Police Post Drugmulla for venturing out to the paddy fields. However, upon they were later on released after proper counseling. (GNS)
