Paliganj (Bihar), Dec 30 - Dozens of farmers are guarding their potato crop with guns as they fear Maoist guerrillas may attack their fields, police said Wednesday.

Farmers are fearful that the Maoists may attack their fields in Paliganj, about 40 km from state capital Patna, known as Maoist stronghold.

"We are protecting our potato crop with guns," local farmer Ramadhar Singh said.

Also, about 2,000 labourers have been hired by the farmers to harvest the potato crop in nearly 1,000 bigha (400 acres) land in Paliganj riverine areas.

In past also, farmers guarded their fields in Maoist-affected districts of Bihar. (IANS)