'Security in place'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 29 2023: Congress MLA K Ranjit has said that security arrangements have been made to harvest paddy from around 380 pari of paddy fields at Sugnu, Serou and adjoining areas.

A campaign on Rebuilding Economy through Agricultural Activities, Phase-I was held today at Sugnu Bazar.

The campaign was organised by the Committee on Agriculture and Horticulture for Rebuilding Economy of the State at the initiative of the Chief Minister.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the campaign, MLA K Ranjit said that he hired and paid for 28 tractors to till paddy fields which are located in foothills and left uncultivated by villagers as they fled for their lives following Kuki aggression.

The MLA representing Sugnu AC said that he called back and persuaded the villagers to cultivate paddy on the abandoned fields.

He said that paddy cultivated on 380 pari are now ripe and ready for harvesting.

Ranjit said that he held a meeting with the Kakching SP, officers of CRPF, Assam Rifles, BSF and Army on beefing up security measures around the paddy fields.

"I went together with the security forces and took stock of the security situation a few days back", he said.

The MLA said that due process has been initiated in consultation with Electricity Department to keep Sugnu and Serou areas well-lit during the night.

Horticulture and Soil Conservation Additional Director K Devdutta who is also the convenor of the Committee on Agriculture and Horticulture for Rebuilding Economy of the State said that the economy is aimed at alleviating the economy of farmers, specially those affected by the protracted violence.

Interested farmers would be given several benefits under the campaign including machinery.

The authorities are also considering giving financial assistance to interested farmers, he said.

Veterinary Joint Director RK Khogendrajit appealed to the pig farmers to take up all possible precautionary measures against African Swine Fever.

He said that the department has been vaccinating livestock and other domestic animals free of cost.

Fisheries Director H Balkrishna said that subsidies are being given to farmers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada for digging fish ponds, cage culture, production of fermented fish, cane fish etc.

He then appealed to the farmers to take full advantage of the scheme.

Minor Irrigation Chief Engineer H Brojendro, CADA EE O Tikendra, MOVCDNER Agriculture Project Officer Kh Nimaichand, Sugnu Municipal Council Chairperson M Sarat and many officers also took part in the campaign.

Comment