Two Fields Burn in One Week Near Slovenian Roma Settlement

A recent fire at a wheat field near the Roma settlement of Kerinov Grm has intensified frustration among local farmers already battling crop destruction. The incident, occurring on a scorching Monday afternoon, marks the second field fire in just one week, adding to a growing pattern of deliberate damage to agricultural land.

Jože Kuntarič, a farmer from the Kalce-Naklo settlement, voiced his anger and disappointment. "I am angry and disappointed. We strive, invest, and work all year, and when we should be harvesting the crop, someone comes and burns it all. And out of pure recklessness!" he stated, highlighting the devastating impact of such acts on the livelihoods of those who depend on their harvests.

The Kuntarič farm has been a victim of arson three times in recent years. The first incident in 2019 destroyed hectares of grain near the Kerinov Grm settlement. In 2022, another fire consumed six hectares of crops. These repeated acts of vandalism not only result in significant financial losses but also create an atmosphere of insecurity and despair for farmers in the region, who are now considering a proposal to declare the Kerinov Grm settlement a security risk area.

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I am angry and disappointed. We strive, invest, and work all year, and when we should be harvesting the crop, someone comes and burns it all. And out of pure recklessness!