Imphal, June 20: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex civil body, has asked the government to take urgent steps to protect valley farmers from attacks by armed militants during the ongoing paddy cultivation season.
COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba told reporters that farmers are being attacked while working near the hill and foothill areas. He said the current security arrangements are not enough to stop these attacks. “We have warned the authorities many times. This latest attack proves our concerns were real,” he said.
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Athouba then urged the government to deploy more security forces along the hill and foothill areas to keep farmers safe. “This is the farming season. Farmers must be able to work safely in their fields,” he added.
He also said that the valley people do not have any issue with Kuki farmers working nearby, as long as there is peace. “Our concern is with those carrying weapons. The government must take strong action against such people, no matter which side they are from,” he said.Athouba criticized the government for making statements without taking real action. “The ground situation has not improved. People are losing patience,” he said.
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The COCOMI then warned that if the government does not act soon, the public may start large protests. “This should be the last such attack. If the government stays silent, people will come out again in big numbers,” Athouba warned.The group’s warning comes after a farmer was shot in the arm while working in a paddy field at Phubala.
(Newmai News Network)