Manipur reviews security for farmers in conflict-hit fringe areas

IMPHAL — Inspector General of Police (IGP-Zone II) of Manipur, Ningshen Worngam, on Friday chaired a meeting on security arrangements for Kharif paddy cultivation in fringe areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.

The meeting also discussed security arrangements and the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

During the discussion, the SPs of Bishnupur and Churachandpur highlighted areas in their respective districts that may require security coverage during the Kharif cultivation season. Regarding the IDPs, DC Bishnupur Pooja Elangbam said special emphasis was being given to their resettlement.

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Following the interaction, IGP Ningshen said coordination among officials of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts was necessary to address security concerns in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

The security measures come after farmers in Bishnupur district were reportedly hit by bullets allegedly fired by unknown armed miscreants during cultivation in recent years following the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state in May 2023.

In 2023, the first year of the conflict, farmers were unable to cultivate more than 5,000 hectares of the state’s total 1.95 lakh hectares of agricultural land.