COCOMI blames central forces for woman's death
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 10 2024: Strongly condemning killing of a young woman farmer in an attack by Kuki 'narco-terrorists' at Saiton village in Bishnupur district on Saturday, COCOMI Farmers' Wing asked central security forces to leave Manipur if unable to protect lives and properties of the farmers.

Addressing media persons at its Lamphelpat office on Sunday, COCOMI Farmer's Wing convener Konthoujam Thoiba Meitei said thousands of central forces are deployed in different parts of the state to protect lives and properties of the people including farmers.

However, a woman farmer named Sophiya, wife of Sapam Dayananda, who went for harvest in a paddy field at Kumbi Watha Lambi in Saiton area on Saturday morning was killed when Kuki narco-terrorists launched attack from nearby hill.

The spot where Kuki narco-terrorists carried out attack and killed Sophiya was barely 200 metres from a BSF post.

Local farmers generally inform the force before carrying out agricultural activities based on which the BSF allots specific time.

However, Saturday's attack happened during the time allotted by the BSF, Thoiba said and strongly condemned the killing of farmer while carrying out harvest to stock food for a year.

According to Thoiba, a team of COCOMI Farmers' Wing visited Saiton and came to light that security lapses in the area was one of the factors for the woman's death.

As such, he said that Manipur government should own responsibility for Saturday's incident.

Expressing concern over fear and reluctance among farmers in harvesting paddy due to renewed attacks by Kuki narco-terrorists, Thoiba said that same thing happened last year too and COCOMI Farmers' Wing had been demanding adequate security cover to farmers during harvesting season.

State government indeed formed a monitoring committee but its inaction led to Saiton incident and hence it's a big mistake on part of the government, he reasoned.

While stating that people of the state no longer trust central security forces, Thoiba informed media persons that the Farmers' Wing will submit a memorandum to Governor and chief minister while declaring that the people will defend on their own if government fails to take up appropriate action even after submitting the memorandum.

He warned that government must take responsibility for all the consequences when people defend their lives and properties on their own.

He further said that people of the state no longer want state government to act under the dictate and command of India government.

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