Imphal: The Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) has strongly condemned the ‘repeated acts of violence and intimidation targeting Meitei farmers in Manipur by Chin Kuki groups to provoke retaliation and reignite a cycle of violence.’
“On Sunday, Chin-Kuki individuals obstructed Meitei farmers from cultivating their land, even in the presence of security forces. This highlights the brazenness of such illegal acts to assert control and intimidate rightful landowners and obstruct the fundamental right to cultivate and harvest crops, without fear of consequence,” the MHS said.
“It is pertinent to note this is not an isolated or spontaneous occurrence; but a larger, well-documented modus operandi of Chin-Kuki militants and their frontal organizations to further destabilise the region, derail the ongoing peace efforts, and inflict long-term economic damage on the Meitei community by cutting off livelihoods at the grassroots level.”
“In one such incident in November last year, 34-year-old Sapam Sophia Leimai was gunned down by Chin Kuki militants while working in a paddy field in Bishnupur district. The Chin-Kuki perpetrators continue to act with impunity because they know they will not be held accountable. This sense of lawlessness persists due to the failure of the security forces and state authorities to provide even the most basic protection for our farmers, despite multiple appeals and ground reports, particularly in fringe and foothill areas,” the MHS said.
“We want to know how many more lives must be lost before the state acts decisively. We demand the immediate and permanent deployment of armed security personnel in conflict-prone agricultural zones to guarantee the safety of Meitei farmers. We also call for the establishment of a clear chain of accountability for any lapses in response.”
“The right to till one’s land is a fundamental human right. Denying that right through violence or negligence is not just a failure of governance; it is a moral failure that endangers the very fabric of our society. If authorities continue to remain indifferent, they risk being complicit through inaction. We appeal to all relevant authorities, including the state government, the central leadership, and the security command, to stop treating these attacks as collateral in a larger political conflict. Protecting farmers is not optional; it is non-negotiable.”
