Farmers along the India–Bangladesh border in Kathalia block allege that high-power border floodlights are destroying paddy crops and injuring labourers due to new fencing. They demand urgent government intervention to prevent large-scale agricultural losses and protect livelihoods.
Farmers living along the India–Bangladesh border under the Kathalia block have raised serious concerns over the extensive agricultural damage allegedly caused by high-power LED floodlights installed near the barbed wire fencing. According to the affected cultivators, these powerful lights—mounted at a height of nearly 30 feet and kept switched on throughout the night—have severely damaged their paddy crops during the ongoing Aman (kharif) season.
The farmers claim that the unusually intense illumination from the high-beam LED floodlights has caused their paddy plants to dry prematurely. Instead of flowering and producing grain, the crops reportedly turned dry and barren. Many farmers described the situation as the worst agricultural setback they have experienced in recent years.
Local cultivators including Rahim Miah, Shailen Sarkar, Haradhan De, and Narayan Majumdar said that their fields, located close to the border fencing, suffered almost total crop loss. Several of them had invested heavily in seeds, fertilizers, labour, and irrigation, expecting a normal season. However, their investments have now been wiped out.
According to the farmers, previous low-power bulbs installed along the border never caused such harm to crops. The sudden shift to extremely bright and high-capacity LED floodlights appears to have altered the micro-environment of the fields, disturbing the natural growth cycle of the paddy plants.
“The light intensity is so strong that it heats the fields all night. The plants dried up before the grain grew. We have lost everything this season,” said farmer Rahim Miah. Others echoed similar sentiments, stating that the glare is unbearable even for humans, and prolonged exposure may be affecting the soil and crop health in unexpected ways.
New Ground-Level Barbed Wire Leads to Injuries
Along with the issue of floodlights, farmers also reported that a newly installed ground-level barbed wire inside Indian territory has created additional hazards. According to them, farm labourers frequently enter the fields for sowing, weeding, irrigation, and harvesting activities. The low barbed wire, installed for additional security, is allegedly causing injuries to workers who often trip or get entangled while moving through the farmland.
Farmers stated that these injuries, though mostly minor, are becoming more frequent and pose a risk to those working barefoot or with limited visibility during early morning hours.
Farmers Say Their Complaints Have Been Ignored
Several farmers said they reported the matter to the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed in the area. However, they were allegedly informed that the installations are part of mandatory security measures and cannot be altered.
“We approached BSF officials, but they said they could do nothing. We are stuck between security structures and survival issues,” said farmer Shailen Sarkar.
The farming community has also reached out to local representatives, including members of the block panchayat and the local MLA. However, they claim that so far they have only received verbal assurances without any concrete action.
Demand for Government Intervention
With a full harvest season lost and uncertainty looming over future cultivation, farmers have appealed to the state Agriculture Minister for urgent intervention. They warn that if the issue continues, farmlands close to the border may become permanently unproductive.
“If this situation is not resolved soon, many will abandon farming altogether. The land will turn fallow, and families depending on agriculture will face severe hardship,” said farmer Haradhan De.
Agriculture experts from the region also suggest that continuous exposure to high-intensity light may disrupt plant growth cycles, particularly for crops like paddy that rely on natural light and temperature rhythms. They recommend an official assessment and immediate policy review regarding floodlight placement and beam direction.
A Growing Crisis Along Border Villages
The situation in Kathalia block reflects a broader concern increasingly voiced by farmers living in border-adjacent regions. As security infrastructure strengthens along international borders, its unintended impacts on agriculture, livelihoods, and rural safety are becoming more visible.
For now, farmers continue to demand prompt action— urging authorities to adjust the angle, intensity, or placement of floodlights, review the new fencing layout, and provide compensation for crop losses.
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Until this happens, the agricultural community along the India–Bangladesh border fears that the coming seasons may bring even more uncertainty.
