Manipur steps up security, support measures for farmers ahead of Kharif season
Imphal, May 23
Ahead of the Kharif season, the Manipur government has intensified efforts to provide security and other necessary support to the farming community in both the valley and mountainous regions, officials said on Saturday.
A senior government official said that in view of previous incidents and attacks involving farmers in fringe areas, the government has initiated all necessary measures to ensure that farmers belonging to the Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga communities can carry out cultivation without any disturbances. District-level meetings are being organised to chalk out strategies and coordinated plans for the benefit and safety of the farming community.
The official said that to ensure adequate security coverage for Kharif paddy cultivation in the fringe areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, an important meeting was held on Friday at the Mini Secretariat (DC Office) in Bishnupur. Inspector General of Police (IGP-Zone II) Ningshen Worngam chaired the meeting, during which discussions were also held on security arrangements as well as the resettlement of ethnic violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district, Pooja Elangbam and her Churachandpur counterpart, Dharun Kumar S., Commander of the 59 Mountain Brigade Tactical Headquarters, Army, at Loukoipat; Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur district, Ksh. Ravikumar Singh and his Churachandpur counterpart Gaurav Dogra, along with Commanding Officers (COs) of various security forces, attended the meeting.
The district police chiefs of Bishnupur and Churachandpur highlighted the feasible cultivation areas in their respective districts, which may require additional security arrangements during the Kharif season.
Regarding the ethnic violence-affected IDPs, the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district informed the meeting that special emphasis is being given to the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced families.
After interacting with the officials, IGP Worngam said that close coordination among officials of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts is essential to effectively handle security-related issues, considering the prevailing law and order situation in the two districts.
The Kharif season, India's monsoon cropping period, extends from June to October. Crops are sown with the onset of the southwest monsoon during June and July and harvested towards the end of the monsoon season in September and October. These crops require abundant rainfall and warm, humid climatic conditions for optimal growth.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for our farmers! Kharif season is the backbone of our food security, and ensuring safety for Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga communities alike is the right approach. But I hope the security measures are implemented properly and not just on paper.
Impressive coordination between Army, police and district administrations. The involvement of the 59 Mountain Brigade shows the seriousness of the situation. Resettlement of IDPs alongside agriculture security is a thoughtful dual approach.
It's good that the government is working on this, but what about long-term solutions? We've seen how ethnic violence disrupts farming for years. These district-level meetings are a start, but we need lasting peace, not just temporary security during sowing season. 😟
As someone from the Northeast, I appreciate this effort. The IGP's focus on coordination between Bishnupur and Churachandpur is spot on - these districts have been flashpoints. Let's hope our farmers can cultivate in peace this year. 🙏
Smart move by the Manipur government. By involving multiple communities and security forces early, they're addressing potential conflicts before they escalate. The Kharif season is critical for food production, and these security measures could prevent disruptions.
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