Batti farmers under croc threat | Daily News

Batti farmers under croc threat

A submerged paddy field. Picture by Sivam Packiyanathan,  Batticaloa Special Corr.
A submerged paddy field. Picture by Sivam Packiyanathan, Batticaloa Special Corr.

Farmers of Puthadimedu at the Vellaveli and the Palugamam Agrarian Service Centres lamented that they cannot visit their paddy fields since the areas have submerged turning them into habitats of crocodiles.

Crocodiles have attacked five farmers in the past few months while they were attempting to wade towards their paddy fields, they said.

They said that their ploughing machines more often get stuck in the mud and therefore, labourers are reluctant to come for harvesting. They said that they have to transport their harvest on boats.

Parliamentarian and Batticaloa District Development Coordinating Chairman Sivanesadurai Chandrakanthan, when he was the East Province Chief Minister, had promised to build a bridge but it was never realised, they said.

Therefore, they appeal to the relevant authorities to provide them with a safe access to their paddy fields.