Farmers condemn
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 29 2023: As many as five farmers' organisations have condemned the attack on farmers by Kuki terrorists at Naranseina this morning.

Condemning the attack in the strongest terms, LOUSAL, All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association, Irabot Foundation Manipur, Loya Lam Loumi Lup and Kangleipak Progressive Farmers Association have urged the Government to pay special attention to the matter and take up befitting action. Speaking on behalf of the five organisations at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani said that the attack against farmers at Naranseina in which one Salam Jotin sustained grievous injury was a dastardly act of terrorism.

Salam Jotin is a tenant farmer.

Out of four Sangams under his care, he is cultivating paddy in only one Sangam this year as he could not access the other three Sangams due to repeated attack by Kuki terrorists.

He went to spray pesticides in the paddy field this morning but he came under heavy firing from Kuki terrorists.

Earlier, a farmer sustained injuries at Phubala in another attack by Kuki terrorists.

Because of frequent attacks by Kuki terrorists, many farmers are still unable to tend to their paddy fields, Churamani said.

A survey carried out by the five farmers' organisations last month found that around 9742 paris of paddy fields could not be cultivated this year due to repeated attacks by Kuki terrorists.

"When we went to the paddy fields around Loktak Project's high canal, we were driven out by Central paramilitary forces by blowing whistles.

But today's attack took place near the low canal", Churamani said.

He then expressed strong suspicion that the buffer zones were created to protect only Kukis.

A State level monitoring committee headed by the Agriculture Commissioner was formed on July 10.IGP, DAOs, DCs and SPs are members of the committee.

District level committees were also formed under the State level committee.

But there is no let up in the attacks against farmers, he said.

He then urged all CSOs to set a pre-condition for any dialogue with Central leaders. The CSOs need to make it clear that the Centre must first stop Kuki aggression else there would not be any dialogue, he said.

He also urged all concerned to give serious thoughts to the hardships being endured by people living in peripheral areas in the face of relentless attack by Kuki terrorists.

Saying that they do not have time to collect fertilizers as they are engaged in defending their villages, Churamani urged the authorities to deliver fertilizers to these farmers/villagers.

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