Excavators seized for digging paddy field, farmers protest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, February 14 2023:
Three excavators of Poclain Company, which were found excavating earth from the paddy fields in between Langathel and Phundrei villages in Thoubal district, have been impounded by an official team led by Thoubal SDO on Tuesday.
According to reports received from district agriculture office, the led by SDO M Ranjita went for an inspection visit of the paddy fields at Langathel and Phundrei.
The team also included officials of Thoubal district agriculture office, SDC Khongjom officials and Khongjom police station OC.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the inspection, SDO Ranjita informed that 3 Poclain excavators which were excavating earth from paddy fields in defiance of The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014, have been seized.
Further legal actions will be initiated in this regard.
Meanwhile, land owners and labourers of brick fields stated protest demonstration at Langathel market urging the authority concerned not to prohibit excavation of earth from the paddy fields as they are carrying out levelling works in the field and also not to take away the source of livelihood of those people who are working on daily wages.
Land owners Abdul Hassan and Moirangthem Khongol stated that they have taken permission from the district agriculture office for digging up the earth from the paddy field for levelling purpose.
The levelling work has been done to cdriy out vegetable plantations after harvest of paddy crop.
They demanded revocation of the prohibition order and for allowing the farmers to grow vegetables in their fields after the paddy plantation season.
The protestors also shouted slogans like "Do not take away source of livelihood of the poor", "Give us the opportunity to work", etc.