UCM seeks paddy compensation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2024:
The UCM Awang Sekmai unit has urged the Government to provide compensation for 200 acres of paddy fields located next to the Kuki villages of Luwangsangol and Phairel.
Last year, paddy could not be cultivated on these paddy fields located in Imphal West district, close to the Kuki villages of Kangpokpi district.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, UCM Awang Sekmai unit president Ayangbam Suresh said that the Meitei farmers could not tend to their paddy fields due to frequent attack by armed Kukis.
Although this year's paddy season is approaching fast, compensation for the farmers' inability to cultivate paddy last season has not been released till date, he decried adding that the farmers are now enduring a very difficult situation.
He then urged the Government to pay compensation to the farmers at the earliest.
In the meantime, some Kuki narco-terrorists have started tilling the fields, Suresh said before urging the Government to stop the Kuki narco-terrorists from tilling the fields.
He appealed to the Government to take up effective measures at the earliest so that Meitei owners of these fields can tend to their fields and cultivate paddy.
If the Government fails to take up necessary measures at the earliest, UCM Awang Sekmai unit and the people of Awang Sekmai would be constrained to launch intense modes of agitation, Suresh said.
UCM Awang Sekmai unit vice-president Khwairakpam Ibobi said that all those paddy fields are located within the revenue district of Imphal West.
He also sought deployment of adequate State security forces around paddy fields located at foothills.
Moreover, the people of Awang Sekmai are unable to access the hill located on the northern side of the village for collection of firewood, vegetables and herbs as the particular hill has been occupied by Assam Rifles and other Central forces, Ibobi said.
The particular hill was given to Awang Sekmai by the Manipur State Durbar, he added.
There are three sacred sites on the hill but the people of Awang Sekmai can no longer visit the sacred sites for offering prayer, he continued.
But the Kukis have been felling trees and tilling fields which belong to Sekmai and the Assam Rifles and other Central forces have been saying nothing, he decried.
He then urged the Government to either remove the Assam Rifles and other Central forces from the hill of Awang Sekmai or relocate them to the hill which straddles Awang Sekmai and Kangpokpi.