Guwahati: The joyous celebrations of Rongali Bihu took a somber turn in Ghiladhari Chook, Chaodangpathar, following a devastating act of vandalism targeting the agricultural endeavors of Anand Bora, a respected and exemplary farmer in the area. Under the cloak of Saturday night, unidentified individuals trespassed onto Bora’s land and mercilessly decimated a substantial portion of his thriving vegetable cultivation, encompassing five bighas where bottle gourd, brinjal, and okra were flourishing.
The destructive spree extended beyond the crops as the perpetrators proceeded to vandalize Bora’s farm premises. Chairs and other furniture items stored on the property were reportedly broken, adding to the farmer’s distress and financial loss.
In addition to the ravaged vegetables, Anand Bora had cultivated tomatoes across ten bighas and was nurturing a diverse range of other produce, including ridge gourd (jatilao), the fiery green chili (bhot jolokia), and various leafy greens. The timing of the attack is particularly disheartening as Bora had recently reaped the rewards of his labor, selling over 200 units of bottle gourd, brinjal, and okra during the auspicious Bihu season.
Visibly distraught by the incident, Anand Bora has lodged a formal complaint with the Merapani police station, pleading for swift intervention and justice. “They destroyed not just my crops, but my hope,” lamented Bora, his voice heavy with emotion. He now waits with bated breath for the apprehension of those responsible for what he perceives as a calculated assault on his hard-won means of sustenance.
Responding to the farmer’s plea, the police have commenced an investigation into the matter. However, at present, no arrests have been made in connection with this deeply unsettling incident that has cast a shadow over the Bihu festivities in the region.