Black rice growing areas under watchful eyes of SFs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 06 2023:
The process of paddy farming began on Thursday in the foothills of Koubu in Imphal West district amid high security provided by security personnel to the farmers hailing from both the warring communities in the restive state.
People were seen tilling land for sowing paddy in the coming days.
Personnel mainly from Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed in Kangpokpi and western Imphal districts to protect the farmers during the sowing season, officials said.
The Kangpokpi and Western Imphal areas, known for their famous black rice', are now being guarded by these columns whose presence is aimed at ensuring a secure
environment for Meitei and Kuki farmers engaged in paddy cultivation, protecting them from ethnic violence attacks, the officials added.
Manipur has approximately 200,000 to 300,000 farmers cultivating paddy on 195,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Farmers are concerned that the shortage of locally grown black rice' may lead to price rises next year if farming is not carried out extensively across all areas by the end of this month.
While some farmers in the outlying areas of Imphal continue to tend to their fields despite the fear of being targeted by militants from nearby hills, many are refraining from farming during the peak season due to concerns for their safety' .
The Meitei community resides in the valley, while the Kuki community resides in the hills.
Both communities have experienced sharp ethnic divisions, leading to numerous violent incidents over the past two months.
Nearly 120 people have lost their lives, and over 3,000 have been injured since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state.
To regain normalcy and control the violence, approximately 40,000 central security personnel, in addition to the Manipur Police, have been deployed in the state.