Ganjam: A large quantity of harvested paddy worth lakhs of rupees was set on fire by unknown individuals at Kusaraba village under Dharakote block in Ganjam district on Monday.
The burnt paddy belonged to four farmers: Biswanath Sahu, Srinivas Gowda, Kahnu Gowda, and Ghan Gowda, who had stacked the crop in the field.
According to the reports, the fire broke out late at night and completely consumed five heaps of harvested paddy. Locals only noticed the flames after they had spread, and immediately alerted the Dharakote Fire Services.
Firefighters quickly responded and managed to put out the fire, but by then, the paddy had been entirely destroyed.
Meanwhile, the four farmers have now appealed to the government for compensation for their losses.
