The Loumee Sinmee Sintha Kanba Lup (LSSKL), a farmers body in Manipur, on Saturday urged Chief Minister N Biren to make a bold announcement regarding the state government's involvement in agricultural activities within vulnerable zones in Manipur.
Citing continuous attacks by Kuki militants, LSSKL stated that security provision for farmers conducting agricultural activities in these zones is insufficient and unacceptable.
Addressing mediapersons in Imphal, LSSKL secretary Khuraijam Ram emphasised that the ongoing unrest in the state that has persisted for over two months has placed immense strain on farmers residing in both the valley and hills.
Ram further questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.
He pointed out that approximately 4,000 hectares of paddy fields are situated in vulnerable areas of the valley, thereby posing a potential threat of food crisis if agricultural activities are neglected in these regions.
Given the specific timings and seasons required for agriculture, he stressed the need for the government to take immediate action to ensure crops can be cultivated in these vulnerable zones.
Farmers are currently unable to access these fields due to the fear of Kuki militant attacks, he added.
Drawing attention to the previous year's shortage of fertilizers and irrigation faced by the farmers, Ram urged the government to ensure timely and subsidised distribution of fertilizers to genuine farmers.
