Unknown miscreants burnt down 4.34 acres of unthreshed paddy in Imphal West early Wednesday, sources said.
The sources said a pile of paddy left for threshing in a field near the National Sports University was found burnt around 4.30 am.
Following the incident, MLA Heikham Dingo on Wednesday rushed to the incident site and took stock of the situation. He said necessary steps will be taken and warned that the culprits involved in the burning of the paddy fields will be punished as per law.
The unthreshed paddy belongs to one Taorem Shyam Sunder Singh, Irungbam Yaiskul and Laishram Yajanta Singh, all three from Senjam Khunou and one Yumnam Biyananda of Phumlou Awang Leikai.
The MLA said necessary assistance will be provided to the affected farmers.
In connection with the incident, a case has been registered at Sekmai police station.
One of the victims, Biyananda said that he has been working to get some paddy so that he could feed his family members and his wife, who is blind.
“I have been working in the paddy field, heart and soul so that I could get some paddy. I am confused right now and I do not know what to do,” he lamented.
A team of fire brigade was rushed to the spot. However, most of the unthreshed paddy were already charred to ashes by the time the fire brigade reached the incident site, the sources added
