Farmers' bodies urge relevant authorities to take stock of agricultural lands affected by conflict
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 05 2023: The 5-Loumee Lup has urged the relevant department to take stock of the affected agricultural land areas not covered by the recent survey and award appropriate compensation to the farmers who have been hit-hard by the conflict.

It may be noted that 5-Loumee Lup is a conglomerate of five farmers bodies, namely, All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association (AMPFA), Kangleipak Progressive Farmers Association (KPFA), Loyalam Apunba Loumee Lup (LALLUP), Loumee Yaipha Lup (LOYALUP) and Loumi Shinmee Apunba Lup (LOUSAL) formed under the aegis of COCOMI.

Konthoujam Thoiba, coordinator, 5-Loumee Lup made the appeal during a press conference held at UCM Office, Lamphel, Imphal today.

He stated that the 5-Loumee Lup in collaboration with the Irabot Foundation had conducted an independent survey which estimated that paddy crops on a total of 9719 hectares of agricultural land could face crop failure.

The farmers body had urged the State Government to award appropriate compensation to farmers.

However, the Government approved a Rs 38.6 lakh compensation package based on a report made before July 15 which assessed only 5127 hectares of agricultural land, he said.

The 5-Loumee Lup coordinator thus urged the relevant department to make provisions to issue monetary compensation for the affected farmers whose lands were not covered in the survey.

According to their survey conducted till the month of August, out of a total of 31,315 hectares of paddy land surveyed, roughly 19,000 hectares of crops are failing.

During the harvesting season, he urged the State Government to form a State Level Monitoring Committee to make security arrangements to prevent any crop loss due to unforeseen circumstances.

For the benefit of the farmers who are facing crop failure, he said that 5-Loumee Lup has made an appeal to the concerned and other allied departments to make arrangements for planting of alternative crops.

Despite receiving assurance that a Rs 6 crore proposal has been sent to the Centre in this regard, he said that the alternative crops have not reached the affected farmers yet.

Separately, Konthoujam Thoiba also highlighted the losses suffered by poultry, dairy and fish farmers whose source of livelihood have been destroyed with the destruction of their animal sheds, coops and the animals themselves.

He stated that the Government should take steps to provide a means of livelihood for the relief camp inmates who have returned to their original settlements after conducting a detailed survey.

He also suggested a relief package for both camp inmates and those who have returned home to alleviate some of their hardships.

Further, he demanded a special package that will waive off bank loans availed by displaced folks.

Lastly, he urged the Government to utilize the compensation package for farmers in a transparent and sincere manner while adding that the farmers body will also extend all help possible to ensure that Manipur becomes a self-sufficient State.

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