Declare GH districts as drought affected: BJP

SHILLONG: BJP leaders from Garo Hills want the state government to declare some districts as drought hit as the farmers have become the worst sufferers.
K C Boro, former MLA and president, BJP Kisan Morcha, Rickman G. Momin, state vice president and Pramod Koch, state general secretary of the party, visited West and South West  Garo Hills to know the condition of the farmers affected by drought as it is time for cultivation.
“We met the farmers and tried to know if they were facing problem in the absence of rain”, Boro said, adding that it was learnt from the farmers that they cannot carry out cultivation as there is no irrigation facility as alternative means of cultivation in the absence of rain.
“The farmers are in great trouble and there are farmers, who are even thinking of committing suicide being helpless”, Boro said.
According to Boro, there was no support either from the department concerned or the government and hence they feel neglected.
“We feel the problem being faced by the farmers should be attended to immediately by the government and we would request the chief minister and the government to declare West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and other districts as drought affected area and extend drought relief to the affected farmers immediately”, Boro said.