Poor Kerala farmer whose spouse examined constructive for COVID fined Rs 2,000 for slicing grass for cow

By Express News Service
KASARAGOD: Ambalathara police slapped a high-quality of Rs 2,000 on a poor farmer — a major contact of his Covid-positive spouse — as a result of he was out slicing grass for his or her cow.

Narayanan V, 46, the farmer of Parakkal at Attenganam in Kodom-Bellur panchayat, mentioned the “exorbitant fine” was an instance of police high-handedness.

Narayanan was sporting a masks and nobody was round him whereas he was slicing grass for his cow. “I did not know cutting grass will spread corona. I thought it spreads if we closely interact with people or if there is crowding,” he mentioned sarcastically.

Narayanan’s spouse Shylaja E, 43, examined constructive for Covid 9 days in the past. Though she didn’t have signs, she needed to take the check to get work below the agricultural employment assure scheme.

Apart from the couple, their two schoolgoing sons — one at school 10 and the youthful one at school 7 — and Narayanan’s mom and youthful brother reside within the dilapidated home.

He utilized for a brand new home and it has been thought of by the panchayat below the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) 5 years in the past however he has not but acquired the cash. “There are only bricks. The house can collapse any time,” he mentioned

He borrowed Rs 7,000 to purchase a tarpaulin and wrap the leaking tile roof. He additionally took a mortgage of Rs 50,000 to purchase a cow in order that he could have a gentle earnings. The cow offers eight litres of milk day-after-day. “But we have to feed him. If I don’t get him grass how will I get milk,” mentioned Narayanan.

He mentioned he didn’t even have cash to purchase a smartphone for his elder son in Class X. “A relative gave him a phone but now the younger one fights for it,” he mentioned.

The police fined Narayanan when he was struggling to run his household. “They want me to stay indoors for 17 days. My wife has no job. My younger brother has no job. I have two children and an aged mother. But I am not even allowed to cut grass for my cow,” he mentioned.

His brother-in-law gave the cash to pay the high-quality.

On Wednesday, Kasaragod police slapped a high-quality of Rs 500 every on 2,074 individuals for not sporting a masks. Another 128 instances had been registered and 139 individuals had been arrested for violating Covid protocols. They additionally impounded 354 autos.