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Tribune News Service
Patiala, August 17
Residents of Main village, which is just a few kilometers away from here, are having sleepless nights due to the nuisance caused by swarms of beetles.
The villagers have been facing this problem for the past three years. The problem has aggravated so much that villagers, including children, have to put cotton balls in their ears to prevent themselves from grain beetles, which appear only after sunset.
Experts said grain beetle was an insect which had been a common household pest found in dry and stored food products such as grains, cereals, dried fruits and seeds.
Lakhvir Singh, 38, said, “We have been facing this problem since long. It has already disturbed our peace of mind.”
When The Tribune team visited the village, it was found that every nook and corner of the village was infested with swarms of wheat beetles. Majority of villagers choose to remain indoors, and keep their eatables covered all the time.
Villagers have already met the officials concerned several times, but all in vain. Village Sarpanch Darshan Singh said, “I am running from pillar to post to get rid of the problem. I even met the officials in this regard, but nothing has been done so far.”
Wheat godown playing spoilsport, rue villagers
Many villagers have attributed this menace to the presence of a wheat godown, which is nearly 100 metres away from the village.
Jeet Singh, 70, who lives just a few metres away from the godown, said, “In the evening, when we turn on the lights of our houses, ‘susri’ (grain beetle) infest our houses like heavy rain. If the problem persists, no one will marry our children. No father will send his daughter to this hell.”
With no solution in the sight, several households have started thinking about moving out of the village.
Harjeet Singh, who recently built a new house in the village, said, “It is no more a liveable place. We are having sleepless nights. I am searching for a new house in the city.”
Meanwhile, SDM Ravinder Arora said, “They have already filed a petition under Section 133 of the CrPC. I have personally visited the village and the problem is serious. We have already called all persons concerned, including officials of food procurement agencies, to decide the case.”