SHILLONG: The headman of Nongtrai village on Monday refuted allegations of the BSF that he had himself burnt the crops with the motive of seeking compensation, and reiterated that Bangladeshi intruders had burnt the crops.
B. Lyngdoh also dismissed the BSF claims that their crops had been damaged by forest fire. “Jhum cultivation is not undertaken in those areas having areca nut and other horticulture plantations.
Alleging that Bangladeshis have an easy access to Nongtrai Elaka, Lyngdoh further said that plundering and pilfering of areca nut plantations by Bangladeshis was a common affair.
It may be reminded that the BSF had claimed that local villagers had themselves set the area on fire for Jhum cultivation but the fire had gone out of control.
