The Manipur government has enhanced security measures for farmers in vulnerable areas amidst the ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued the region for over two years. These efforts aim to safeguard agricultural activities, ensure the safety of farmers, and prevent further disruptions to the cultivation season.
The decision to increase security came in response to recent incidents targeting farmers, including an attack on a Meitei farmer in the Bishnupur district. Such incidents have exacerbated existing tensions and deepened ethnic divides, fueling unrest in conflict-affected areas. Farming activities have been badly affected in both the Imphal valley and hilly areas. Unresolved land access disputes and the lack of effective protection for farmers continue to deepen ethnic divides and fuel unrest in conflict-affected areas of Manipur.
To address these challenges, the Manipur government has taken several proactive steps. Police personnel have been deployed in vulnerable farming zones, both in the hills and the valley, to assist central security forces in safeguarding agricultural areas. District administrations in Bishnupur and Jiribam have also deployed Flying Squads, comprising Sub-Deputy Collectors (SDCs), to ensure uninterrupted and safe agricultural activities in their respective fringe areas.
In addition to increased deployments, the government has been conducting joint combing operations in fringe areas, including areas deep inside the hills, to flush out miscreants. They have also set up flying squads and quick response teams. These operations involve the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, who have been conducting coordinated efforts to stabilize the region. These operations have led to arrests and the recovery of weapons and explosives across several districts.
A "Combined Headquarters" meeting was held recently to review farming-related security measures, improve coordination, and prevent incidents. The meeting was chaired by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and attended by Chief Secretary PK Singh and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh. Alert messages have been issued to all district superintendents of police from the police headquarters to immediately implement enhanced security protocols for ongoing cultivation activities. Senior police officers are also inspecting farming zones to assess and strengthen security measures, including identifying vulnerable agricultural regions that may require increased police presence and surveillance.
The government has urged the public, especially farmers, to remain alert and inform local police or security forces before heading to cultivate land in sensitive regions. A joint delegation of civil society organizations met with Ministry of Home Affairs officials in New Delhi and raised the issue of farmer safety. They requested adequate security for the farming community and their lands.
These initiatives aim to secure the livelihoods of farmers amidst ongoing regional tensions and ensure that cultivation continues without disruption. The current Kharif season, also known as the monsoon season, runs from June to October, making these security measures particularly crucial at this time.
