About 30 bighas of standing sugarcane were destroyed in a fire allegedly caused by sparking high-tension wires over farmland in the Khanpur area of Roorkee. Farmers have accused the electricity department of negligence and submitted a complaint at Khanpur police station seeking action and compensation.

The affected land belongs to farmers from Prahladpur village and is located in the Madarpur forest area. The farmers named in the complaint include Dheerajpal, Manoj, Sudeshna, Mohkam and Dhir Singh, along with others.

What happened in the fields

According to the farmers’ complaint, the high-tension wires passing above their fields had been hanging low for a considerable period. They said they had repeatedly informed electricity department officials and employees about the problem, but the wires were not repaired.

The farmers stated that the wires collided at around one:20 in the afternoon on 11 November. Sparks then fell onto the sugarcane crop, causing a fire that spread to nearby fields. The blaze ultimately destroyed about 30 bighas of sugarcane, causing substantial financial losses to the affected farmers.

The complaint alleges that the department’s failure to address the reported fault led to the crop damage. The allegation has not been established, and the police are expected to examine the circumstances during their inquiry.

Farmers seek inquiry and compensation

The farmers have requested a full investigation into the incident and action against the electricity department employees they believe were responsible for failing to resolve the wire problem. They have also sought appropriate compensation for the destroyed crop.

The Khanpur station house officer said the police would investigate the matter on the basis of the complaint and take necessary action. No further outcome of the inquiry is stated in the available information.

Conclusion

The reported fire destroyed about 30 bighas of sugarcane in the Madarpur forest area, while farmers have sought accountability and compensation. Police will investigate the complaint and decide the next necessary action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much sugarcane crop was destroyed?

About 30 bighas of standing sugarcane were reported destroyed in the fire.

Q. Where did the affected farmers’ land lie?

The farmers from Prahladpur village said their land was in the Madarpur forest area of Khanpur.

Q. What did the farmers say caused the fire?

They said high-tension wires collided at around one:20 in the afternoon on 11 November, sending sparks onto the crop.

Q. Where did the farmers submit their complaint?

They submitted a complaint at Khanpur police station.

Q. What have the farmers requested?

They have sought an investigation, action against responsible electricity department employees and compensation for the crop loss.