In a concerning incident along the Indo-Pakistan border, a farm fire allegedly set by two farmers to burn stubble caused significant damage to a Border Security Force (BSF) border outpost (BOP) in Ferozepur district on Friday. The Mamdot police have booked the farmers following a complaint lodged by BSF personnel from the 155th Battalion.
Details of the Incident
The accused farmers, identified as Manjeet Singh and Major Singh, reportedly set their fields in Chakk Bhangewalan village under the Mamdot block on fire to clear stubble. However, the flames spread to the nearby Gatti Hayat BOP, destroying approximately 40 metres of optical fibre cable (OFC), power cables, PTZ camera power supply cables, and protective fencing installed in the riverine area. The damage has raised serious security concerns, as the BOP is located along the zero line separating India and Pakistan.
ASI Darshan Singh of Mamdot police station confirmed that a case has been registered under Sections 223 and 324 (4) of the BNS based on a written complaint submitted by BSF Inspector Ajay Kumar. The police are investigating the matter further.
Recurring Issue of Stubble Burning
This is not an isolated incident. On May 31, the police booked farmer Balwant Singh from Ghulam Hussainwala village after a fire he set damaged nearly 450 plastic pipes and other material stored at the Hussainiwala workshop. The complaint was filed by officials of the Mining and Water Resources Department, and a case was registered by the Sadar police.
Earlier, on May 24, BSF officials at the Dona Tellu Mal BOP reported a fire that severely damaged nearly 400 metres of communication cable connected to the border outpost. Following that incident, the Mamdot police registered an FIR against Baljeet Singh from Nihala Kilcha village, as well as Lovejeet Singh and Sandeep Singh from Bhamba Hazi village.
Impact on Local Communities
In another major incident reported last month from village Nava Bareke, flames from a field fire spread to nearby temporary dwellings, reducing more than half a dozen huts to ashes. Although no loss of life was reported, the incident highlighted the dangers posed by the continued practice of stubble burning. Despite stringent measures by the district administration, the practice continues unabated, endangering both security infrastructure and local livelihoods.
The repeated incidents underscore the need for stricter enforcement of bans on stubble burning and alternative solutions for farmers to manage crop residue without resorting to fire.
