Paddy harvesting begins under security cover
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 21 2023:
Similar to security arrangement made during ploughing and sowing paddy seeds at vulnerable fields in the ethnic violence-hit state, harvesting of paddy crops commenced at Sangaithel on Saturday with deployment of security personnel.
Farmers began harvesting their crops under full security protection provided by a combined team of Patsoi police led by OC inspector Sunil, Sangaithel police outpost, 5/9 GR, 5MR, SDRF and C/71 Battalion CRPF at Sangaithel from 10 am till 1pm.The same practice of guarding the farmers during harvest will be adopted in other areas as well.
Farmers in foothill areas, who were in a dilemma earlier wondering whether their paddy could be harvested amidst the present conflict, have expressed their gratitude to the security personnel for providing security cover to ensure tension free harvest of their crops.
Speaking in this regard, Sangaithel Youth Sporting Club president L Bimol Meitei conceded that they were worried what would happen during harvest, but now they feel safe as they are fully protected by the personnel.
Stating that their doubts have been erased to a great extent by the presence of the security personnel, who protected them during the harvesting activities, he urged the forces to protect the farmers at other paddy fields located in Red Zone also.
To streamline effective agricultural activities across the state, the state government had in July reserved over 1900 state and central security personnel for guarding the farmers in the paddy fields in five affected districts.
This step was taken up after representatives of five farmer bodies of the state met the CM and urged him to provide security to the formers were unable to go to the paddy fields owing to constant attacks by Kuki militants.
The government's step, however, drew mixed response as some farmers expressed dissatisfaction over ineffective deployment of the forces even as the police advised the farmers not to venture out to their paddy fields without giving prior information to the superintendents of police concerned.
At other vulnerable areas, security personnel were seen guarding the farmers at the paddy fields, mostly located close to foothills abutting Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.
On the other hand, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) recently approved release of Rs 38.06 crore as crop compensation package to farmers affected by the ongoing violence.
The compensation package would cover 5127.08 hectares of severely affected agricultural areas in eight districts both in the valley and the hills.
(With inputs from Waari Singbul Network) .