Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: A protest dharna was held by farmers of Sunderbani, Beripattan and part of Nowshera Tehsils in front of SDM Office Sunderbani today. The protestors were demanding relief and compensation for huge loss they suffered due to unprecedented rain and hailstorm on March 14.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ravinder Sharma, former MLC and Chief Spokesman JKPCC said that the farmers of Sunderbani, Beripattan and part of Nowshera Tehsil have suffered a huge loss caused due to heavy rains and unprecedented hailstorm. He said that the Wheat crops, vegetables and the fruit crops have been damaged, completely. He demanded that the Government should immediately depute special teams comprising of departments of revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture and Sericulture etc. In order to have proper assessment of various kinds of crops damaged, as the Department of revenue does not generally classify the kinds of crops while conducting Girdawri as a result the affected farmers do not get adequate relief.
Mr. Sharma demanded immediate supply of free ration to the badly affected areas. In this connection he also talked to the higher authorities including DDC Rajouri.
A large number of people along with Panchayats representatives headed by Thakur Shamsher Singh- Sarpanch and President Block Congress Committee Sunderbani and submitted a memorandum, urging the administration to provide immediate relief to the people, besides loss of wheat crops, fruit, vegetables, cattle and other livestock should be assessed in order to provide compensation to the sufferers.