Manipur Farmers' Wing Voices Disappointment Over Delayed 2024 Compensation
The farmers' wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) expressed significant disappointment on Monday regarding the non-disbursal of compensation for the year 2024 to thousands of farmers impacted by the Manipur violence. This delay persists despite funds having been released by the central government, highlighting a critical administrative gap in relief distribution.
Scale of Agricultural Impact Revealed
According to official sources, the Manipur clashes in 2024 have severely affected agricultural operations across the region. The data indicates that at least 10,286 farmers and approximately 9,807 hectares of farmland spanning various districts have been directly impacted. This widespread disruption has not only halted cultivation but also threatened food security and livelihoods in the area.
Farmers Face Severe Losses and Inaccessibility
Speaking to the media, Shyam Khuman, the convener of the Cocomi farmers' wing, detailed the profound hardships faced by the agricultural community. He emphasized that farmers in peripheral areas have suffered severe financial and emotional losses due to their inability to access farmlands. "Since May 3, 2023, many farmers were forced to abandon their fields. Croplands remain inaccessible, and families have been pushed into extreme hardship," Khuman stated, underscoring the prolonged nature of this crisis.
Verification Completed, But Compensation Stalled
Khuman further explained that respective district administrations have already conducted thorough verifications of the claims submitted by farmers regarding crop loss. However, despite this procedural completion, the compensation earmarked for the year 2024 has not yet reached the intended beneficiaries. This delay raises concerns about the efficiency of the disbursement process and the prioritization of farmer welfare in post-conflict recovery efforts.
Urgent Calls for Action and Warning of Agitations
In response to this stagnation, the farmers' wing has urgently called upon the government to disburse the compensation to affected farmers without further delay. They have issued a stern warning, indicating that if the compensation is not provided at the earliest, it may lead to organized agitations. This potential escalation underscores the growing frustration among the farming community and the need for immediate governmental intervention to address their grievances and restore trust.
