MTU urges
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 22 2024:
The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MTU) has urged the authority concerned to allow out of work conflict survivors to cultivate the paddy fields dedicated to "Umang Lai" and those reserved for "Shinglup" for this year.
A statement issued by Mutum Churamani Meitei, secretary administration, MTU highlighted the crores of agricultural losses the State, its farmers and other allied industries have suffered as a result of the conflict coupled with scanty rainfall.
Pointing out the plight of thousands of homeless conflict survivors who are currently unemployed, MTU stated that there are roughly 700 "Umang Lai" in the State and a majority of them still have dedicated paddy fields.
There are also agricultural lands reserved for local "Shinglups" .
In addition, many affluent people involved in the practice of land banking have acquired large number of paddy fields.
Thus, MTU has made an appeal to the aforementioned entities to allow the conflict survivors to work on these agricultural lands this year in order to help them earn a livelihood.
MTU further said that due to the conflict the economy of the State has taken a downward spiral as more than 40,000 Meiteis were forced to flee their homes and take shelter in over 450 relief centres set up across the State.
In the midst of such distressing circumstances, MTU has emphasized on the need for people to come together and extend a helping hand to the homeless conflict survivors.