Race for fertilisers pitch farmers against MLAs
Ministers, MLAs enact farce at Sekmai
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01: Tension ran high at Sekmai today with many farmers, who are worried they might not be able to put fertiliser in their paddy fields in time, coming in direct confrontation with MLAs and Ministers who had come to intercept fertiliser laden trucks to take them to their respective Assembly Constituencies.

Free for all as farmers distribute the fertilisers at Sekmai

Following reports of MLAs and Ministers intercepting fertiliser laden trucks at Sekmai, many farmers came to Sekmai since early morning today waiting for the arrival of fertiliser laden trucks.

Farmers of Sekmai area also joined their counterparts coming from other parts of the State in waiting.

While the farmers were waiting , MLA of Kumbi A/C N Mangi, MLA of Wangkhem A/C M Hemanta and MLA of Sekmai A/C H Borajao also arrived at Sekmai with the intention of taking over the fertiliser laden trucks.

As the trucks started arriving, the MLAs forcibly took over the trucks and directed them to their respective Assembly Constituencies.

Among the MLAs who managed to take their 'booty', MLA of Kumbi A/C N Mangi took away two trucks of fertilisers, MLA of Wangkhem A/C M Hemanta another two truck loads and MLA of Sekmai A/C H Borajao one truck load.

Infuriated over the conduct of the MLAs, farmers who have been waiting since early morning revolted.

At that time, along with MLA of Khundrakpam A/C Th Lokeshore his security personnel came escorting two fertiliser laden trucks which the farmers stopped at Sekmai.

Questioning the rights of the MLAs and the Minister in taking possession of the fertilisers laden trucks, the agitated farmers demanded that the fertilisers being brought should be distributed among them as they are also farmers worried over the possibility of crop failure if the fertiliser could not be applied in their paddy fields in time.

As the tension risen, security personnel tried to pacify the farmers.

But some of the agitated farmers climbed up the trucks to unload the fertiliser bags insisting that they can pay whatever price demanded if the fertiliser is made available to them.

Finally an agreement was arrived at on whose basis one of the two fertiliser laden trucks brought by MLA Th Lokeshore was handed over to the farmers and the same was distributed among the farmers at the rate of Rs 360 per bag.

Even as the farmers were trying to stop the two fertiliser laden trucks brought by MLA Th Lokeshore, MLA of Mayang Imphal A/C Dr Kh Ratankumar crossed the area taking along one truck load of fertilisers escorted by his security personnel.

Even before the revolt of the farmers, two fertiliser laden trucks had reportedly crossed Sekmai Police informing that it was meant was for MLA of Bishnupur A/C and former Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

However, MLA of Thanga A/C Th Mangibabu who also came to intercept fertiliser laden trucks along with his escorts till Sekmai had to make a hasty retreat without getting down from his vehicle seeing the tense situation.

Getting the reports of MLAs and Ministers intercepting fertiliser laden trucks and taking them to their respective Assembly Constituencies, a team of officials from Agriculture Department including its Deputy Director and Assistant Fertiliser Officer had also rushed in to Sekmai.

But they could nothing precious in trying to stop the MLAs from taking away the fertiliser laden trucks.

On the other hand, volunteers of Nongchup Imphal Loumee-Singmee Chaokhat Lup and United Committee Manipur who arrived at Sekmai tried to help in ensuring the fertiliser laden trucks reached the farmers in every districts through their respective dealers.

Till afternoon today, in all 13 trucks laden with Urea and one MOP have crossed Sekmai Police.

The content of one of the fertiliser laden trucks had been distributed among the farmers at Sekmai Bazar before it could cross the police station.