Dimapur, August 2 (MExN): Peren district which is termed the sobriquet “rice bowl of Nagaland” is headed towards catastrophic famine-like situation owing to lack of rain even as the sowing season evades the farmers.
Taking into view of the predicament, the whole Jalukie valley on Saturday took time to seek intervention of the Almighty by observing dawn to dusk fasting and prayer. The prayer and fasting session beginning from 5:00am to 5:00pm was a success as evident from the total cessation of activities during the period. Educational institutions, business establishment were closed and vehicular movement were restricted in total observance of the prayer and fasting as initiate by the Pastors’ Association of Naga tribes at Jalukie Pumling Nko, Jalukie town .
People from all walks of life including both young and old had earnestly prayed for divine intervention to salvage the people of the area from facing such catastrophic situation. Reports reaching here also informed that livestock were restricted food in total observance of the occasion. Penitent for any wrong, the public had sought forgiveness from the almighty and restore the blessing upon his people.
The public had particularly sought the assistance from the irrigation department for intervention into the plight of the farmers. It has also sought the assistance of the government and the department concerned to come into the rescue of the affected farmers. It may be mentioned here that the long spell of dry season had left the farmers with no option but to leave their land uncultivated. Various measures to mitigate problems of the farmers had also gone futile as the rain god continued to elude them.
Mention may also be made here that gregarious flowering of bamboo had affected the farming in the valley owing to unprecedented increase in number of rodents in the past years.
Despite various measures taken by the agriculture department to control menace of rodents, the farmers are apprehensive of an impending famine-like situation as the valley headed towards the future without options.
