Farmers of Balabhut, a village near the India-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar, staged a road blockade for around four hours from 9am on Monday, alleging that Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were stopping them from cultivating maize on their farms beyond the barbed wire fence.

Aggrieved farmers blocked the road connecting their village with Tufanganj town. Their primary grievance was a recent directive from the Balabhut BSF camp, which, they alleged, prohibited maize farming on land beyond the fence.

“In our village, there are over 1,000 farmers who own around 5,000 bighas of land beyond the barbed wire. Across the entire panchayat area, there are nearly 5,000 such farmers. A few days back, the BSF personnel told us that we could not cultivate maize on our land across the fence. We are not ready to accept it,” said Bakir Hossain,a protester.

Sources said that maize cultivation was gaining popularity in Cooch Behar as it fetched a steady price.

“Farmers across Tufanjganj subdivision and some other areas grow maize as it is a profitable crop. If they are stopped from cultivating this crop, they will face financial losses,” said Aftab Ali Byapari, the local panchayat head.

He said that BSF personnel posted in the area told them that the directive had come from higher-ups. “We were told that maize cannot be cultivated as the plants grow up to a height of four feet and above which reduces visibility of the area,” he added.

The farmers said if they could not cultivate maize, the BSF should compensate the loss.

“We already face inconvenience in carrying out cultivation on our land as it is beyond the fence. Now, if such restrictions are imposed on us, what is the point of owning the land?” said another farmer in the blockade.

As the blockade continued, a police team reached the spot and spoke to the agitators. Eventually, farmers lifted the blockade around 1pm.

Later in the day, a meeting was held at the local level. Officials of the administration, elected local representatives and the BSF and police personnel were present at the meeting.

“No decision, however, was reached at the meeting. If the issue is not resolved, we will intensify our movement,” said a farmer.

Contacted, local BSF personnel refused to comment on the matter.

Panchayat head Byapari said they asked administrative officials to take up the issue fast with the BSF higher-ups. “We want an early solution in the interest of hundreds of farmers of the bordering region,” he said.