Karnal, Sonepat top offenders

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 4

Farmers of Karnal and Sonepat districts are leading the chart of offenders who are defying the ban on stubble burning. It is evident from the figure collected by Haryana Pollution Control Board that more than one fourth of the offenders are from Karnal.

Of the total 430 cases of stubble burning in the state till May 3, 125 are from Karnal, while Sonepat is on the second position with 115 cases.

The figure collected by the Haryana Pollution Department shows that Jind has recorded 77 incidents, Hisar 29, Kaithal 24, Jhajjar 17, Panipat 18, Palwal nine, Ambala three, Rohtak two and Panchkula one.

Sources said the figure could be much higher as several cases remain unreported.

22 farmers booked

Kurukshetra: Twentytwo farmers from two villages of the district have been booked for burning wheat stubble.

An official spokesperson said here on Thursday that 18 accused belonged to Bibipur village and four others belonged to Saina Sayeda village.

All accused have been identified and an FIR has been lodged against them for causing pollution.

The spokesperson said fines had been collected from 10 other farmers for burning stubble.