Farmer descending from the bridge with the help of rope
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Shivam Singh, Navgachia (Bhagalpur). The dangerous scene seen daily on Vikramshila Setu is no less than a stunt in an action film, but this is the bitter reality. Dozens of farmers of Bhagalpur-Navgachia descend to the banks of Ganga with the help of a thick rope from a 35-40 feet high bridge for livelihood.
Neither are they army personnel nor professional stuntmen. Hanging with sickles, sacks and other items, these helpless farmers are forced to play with death every day. They go down to cut grass by tying a rope to the railing of the bridge or to the trees on the banks. Due to shortage of fodder for cattle and easy availability on the river banks, farmers choose this illegal and unsafe route. Despite the accident, these farmers keep playing with death for their livelihood.
It is noteworthy that this risky 'shortcut' took away the happiness of a family last Tuesday. 40-year-old Ranjit Yadav, a resident of West Bhittha of Ismailpur police station area, was coming down by tying a rope to the railing of the bridge to cut grass.
Suddenly the rope broke and they fell 40 feet. The sailors and villagers immediately took seriously injured Ranjit to Mayaganj hospital, but the doctors declared him dead. Sailors say that hundreds of people do the same thing every day and they don't agree even when told to do so.
Even small children are made to sit on bamboo poles or in nets and are brought down.
The magnitude of the danger does not stop here. Many farmers place small children on bamboo poles or nets and lower them 40-45 feet. Men and women reach the bottom within a few minutes. But the shadow of an accident keeps looming every moment.
The green grass growing on the banks of Ganga remains the only source of fodder for cattle. Ranjit's death once again exposed the danger, but the practice is not stopping. Villagers say that not everyone has a boat, nor is there a safe alternative route. The administration is not paying attention to this.
Last Tuesday, Ranjit died while taking a similar shortcut. This death is also a warning that farmers should abandon deadly shortcuts. Our life is precious. Caution is necessary even under compulsion.
A few moments of haste cannot leave the entire family helpless. The administration should also take action in this country. Alternative arrangement of ladder or boat should be mandatory for these farmers and cattle herders.
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