Farmers' unions protest Farm Laws
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 03 2021: Farmers' unions of Manipur backed by Left parties viz; Manipur Loumee Marup (MLM), Manipur Loumee Lup (MLL), Samyukta Kisan Sabha (SKS) All India Agragami Kisan Samitee ( AIAKS) and North East Forum of International Solidarity (NEFIS) protested against the Farm Laws which were passed by the Parliament in September 2020 by staging a hunger strike at Irawat Bhawan, BT Road, today.

Addressing the hunger strike, comrade Haobijam Ibobi, secretary MLL said that the Farm Laws - Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 were passed despite objection by farmers to please corporate leaders.

Saying that the Acts will undermine the benefits given to Indian peasants such as MSP (minimum support price), he added that all the Left peasant unions in Manipur will support all protests that demand revocation of the three Farm Laws.

Asking the Government to revoke the Farm Laws in toto, he warned that the peasants will launch more intense agitation if the demand is unheeded by the Centre.

He also appealed to the State Govt to stop spreading 'fake' propaganda regarding the Farm Laws.

Khumukcham Chinglen, leader of NEFIS, expressed that the three Laws are against the entire people of this country.

Continuing that India is ranked 104th in the world hunger list, he added that the hunger strike is symbolic support to the struggling farmers of the country.

CPI State secretary, L Sotinkumar, CPI (M) secretary Kshetrimayum Santa, MLM president Yumlembam Jogendra, SKS leader N Ratan, AIAKS leader M Nabakishore and Sarat Salam, former secretary MLM also spoke at the event.

Meanwhile, according to a statement of the Manipur Loumi Lup, the All India Kisan Sangharsh Co-ordination Committee has demanded the Government to convene a special Parliament session to repeal the Farm Laws and make Minimum Support Price (MSP) and State procurement of crops a legal right.

The committee also appealed to implement Swaminathan Panel Report and peg MSP at 50% more than the weighted average cost of production and cut diesel prices for agricultural use by 50% .

Further urging to repeal the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020; Electricity Ordinance 2020 and punishment for stubble burning, the committee also sought immediate release of farmers arrested for burning paddy stubble in Punjab.

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