POLICE have begun investigations into an alleged deliberate burning of a 100-acre cane farm in Navoli, Ba.
The complaint was lodged at the Ba Police Station on Wednesday morning by sugar cane farmer Jagdish Chand.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed investigations into Mr Chand's claims were in progress.
"Five suspects were brought in for questioning on Wednesday and released. Investigations continue," said Ms Naisoro.
Mr Chand said it was not the first time his farm was set on fire by ill-willed people.
"It has been going on for about two months now and this last one was the last straw," said the 52-year-old.
He said the late night fire was too quick to stop.
"My family and I was asleep and I smelt smoke coming from somewhere and when I went outside I saw my cane farm burning," he said.
Mr Chand said the culprits also sabotaged his efforts to stop the fire from spreading.
"After seeing the fire, I loaded a tank of water onto my tractor and drove out to where the fire was spreading.
"But I couldn't get far because there was something wrong with the tyres."
Upon investigating the tractor, Mr Chand said he found six-inch nails stuck to the front tyres.
"Someone had thrown these nails on the road knowing that I would drive out there to try and stop the fire," he said, adding it would cost him $500 to replace the tyres.
A disappointed Mr Chand said he was very upset by the way he was treated by the arsonists.
"I harvest about 1200 tonnes from my farm, enough to last me and my family until the next harvest but now I won't be able to get that much during this harvest."
Mr Chand urged the authorities including government to assist him and other cane farmers in protecting their farms.