Farmers in Bajali demand irrigation minister’s resignation amid severe water crisis

Farmers across the Bajali district are reeling under extreme distress due to the failure of the irrigation system, leading to widespread anger and desperation. 

With monsoon rains falling short, cultivation has come to a standstill in several areas where nearly 80% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood.

The situation is especially grim in Laogaon, where the sluice gates of the irrigation system have become practically defunct. Although there are 23 sluice gates in the area, water is leaking from underneath several gates, rendering them useless. 

As a temporary solution, the department has stuffed straw bundles under the gates to stop leakage, but this has failed to deliver adequate water to the fields.

“Having cattle but no way to plough the fields is worse than not having cattle at all,” said one frustrated farmer, describing the helpless condition faced by cultivators.

The farmers allege gross negligence by the Irrigation Department and demanded the resignation of the Minister concerned. 

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They have also urged local MLA Phanidhar Talukdar to visit the sluice gates at Laogaon and see the situation for himself. Farmers questioned the whereabouts of the gate operators, who are only active for two months a year, despite being on duty for ten months.

In their statements to local media, farmers accused the government of promoting slogans about protecting indigenous communities (khilonjiya) while failing to ensure proper implementation of basic services. 

“This government only announces new schemes, but no actual development work is being done,” said a farmer from Hakaratup, one of the affected areas.

Several parts of Bajali—including Hakaratup, Puthimari, Kathalmurighat, Ghatattari, and Hathinapur—are seeing dry and cracked fields due to the lack of water. Farmers appealed to the Bajali Deputy Commissioner to closely inspect the functioning and implementation of such irrigation projects.

The farmers concluded by questioning when, if ever, they would receive the water they need. Whether the department will act following media reports remains to be seen.