Paschim Medinipur: Lakhs Lost as Paddy Fields Burn, Arson Suspected

• Multiple fires have devastated ripe paddy fields across Paschim Medinipur district, causing significant losses for farmers.
• Incidents occurred in Chandrakona, Daspur, and Ghatal, burning bighas of land and destroying ripe crops.
• Farmers suspect arson, with some alleging fires were set to straw after harvest, spreading to adjacent ripe paddy fields.
• Police are investigating the fires, which farmers believe might be a conspiracy due to simultaneous outbreaks in different areas.
• The fires have caused extreme anxiety among villagers, despite ongoing awareness campaigns against burning straw.

Why It Matters: Farmers face ruin as suspicious crop fires destroy livelihoods, prompting police probes.