On an appeal from Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, preparations for ‘Roka Chheka’, the traditional arrangement in villages to save kharif crops from cattle, began on Friday in villages across the state.

Panchayat representatives enthusiastically took part in the preparations and proceedings.

The Chief Minister attended a ‘Roka Chheka’ ritual in village Patora in Durg district via video call from his official residence office.

Villagers were visibly delighted to receive a call from Baghel, who interacted with the villagers via video call and sought details from the Sarpanch about the preparation.

The Chief Minister appreciated the collective efforts of the people along with members of ‘Gauthan samiti’ to organize the ‘Roka Chheka’ ritual gathering.

“Roka Chheka is an important part of our rural culture. It is an important tradition for saving kharif crops,” Baghel said.

Sarpanch Anjita Sahu briefed the Chief Minister that all livestock owners have been administered a pledge to keep their cattle in Gauthans.

Senior public representative Ashwini Sahu told Baghel that preparations for Roka Chheka were going on in the village for two-three days. People have been motivated to take a community pledge on the day of Roka Chheka.

The Chief Minister also interacted with villagers of Pahatiya. He extended them good wishes for kharif crops.

Roka Chheka campaign will be conducted across the state from June 19 to June 30. Strategies to stop open grazing of cattle in rural areas and to make roads in cities cattle-free will be discussed.