Farmers launch agitation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24 2017:
Farmers of the State joined their counterparts of other States today as they launched a three-day agitation by staging a sit-in at Keishampat Keisham Leikai Community hall .
The agitation is being jointly organised by All Manipur Loumi Lup and CPI Manipur State Council .
Dr M Nara, secretary of CPI Manipur State Council, L Sotinkumar, deputy secretary of CPI Manipur State Council, L Iboyaima, ex-secretary, CPI Manipur State Council and farmers took part in the sit-in .
Speaking to reporters, president of All Manipur Loumi Lup N Singhajit said that many farmers have committed suicide since due to negligence of their welfare .
Lack of Minimum Support Price to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices; monopolisation by capitalists and many crisis faced by the farmers across India have prompted the farmers to launch the agitation, he said .
As for Manipur, the agitation today was held by farmers of Imphal East and Imphal West at Keishampat Keisham Leikai Community hall.
The agitation would be held in Thoubal tomorrow .
He further said that most of the agriculture land of the State has been submerged due to floods this year.
This has caused headache to farmers of the State which is compounded by shortage of fertilizers .
Urging the Government to redress the grievances of the farmers, N Singhajit further called for implementation of Swaminathan Commission's recommendations .
He also demanded implementation of Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and land reform measures promptly.
The other demands of the farmers included payment of Rs 10,000 as monthly pension to farmers who attained 60 years of age; giving awareness to farmers about their welfare schemes launched by the State and Central Govts and to ensure that farmers’ welfare schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries.