Leave if unable to protect farmers: IFM to CFs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 16 2025: Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) president Kh Gopen Luwang has asserted that all the paddy fields in the state must be allowed for cultivation without missing even one 'Sangam' of land this year, or else central security forces deployed for protection of the people and farmers should leave Manipur.

Gopen made the discontented remark against the Government of India during the 29th Foundation Day celebration of Irabot Foundation Manipur at Manipur Press Club, here, on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, the president described as very unfortunate that the Kukis intruded into paddy fields belonging to the Meeteis at Leitanpokpi and obstructed Meetei farmers from tilling their own fields despite the presence of security forces.

"People expected protection from the large numbers of Indian security forces deployed in Manipur but their actions turn out to be quite contradictory, he said and asked the central security forces to extend help if they are true friends of farmers or apprehend all if farmers are their enemy.

Expressing concern over the unsatisfactory action of central security forces in the Leitanpkpi incident, Gopen Luwang said that people of Manipur are getting increasingly aware about who their real enemies are.

"Farmers who could not cultivate in their own paddy fields for two consecutive years from 2023 were given compensation for Kharif crops merely for namesake," he noted, adding that compensation for Rabi crops is still pending.

The whereabouts of compensation for the year 2024 is still unknown, he said.

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