COCOMI, farmers inspect farmlands restricted from cultivation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bishnupur, May 24 2025: COCOMI Farmers' Wing and local farmers on Saturday inspected agricultural lands in Thinungei, Bishnupur district, where central forces deployed in the area barred farmers from working in their farmlands citing lack of permission.

Speaking to media persons, COCOMI Farmers' Wing co-convenor K Thoiba maintained that agricultural lands left uncultivated due to the conflict that broke out on May 3, 2023, were made available for cultivation through the formation of a State Level Farmers Monitoring Committee.

Disallowing farmers to cultivate their own farmlands not only violated their rights but also disrupted their economy, he rued, adding that the government and the department concerned should look into the matter and ensure that farmers are allowed to cultivate.

The government which could not fight Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists will be considered a weak government, Thoiba remarked.

Though it is time to start preparing farmlands for cultivation, several agricultural lands of Meeteis could not even begin preparation.

But tribal farmlands near foothills have freely started preparation for cultivation, he noted.

Demanding the State Level Farmers Monitoring Committee to review the situation, Thoiba said that they are prepared to launch a protest if farmers are not allowed to cultivate within 10 days.

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