Manipur: Farmers of Churachandpur threaten to launch hunger strike

Our Correspondent

Imphal, June 30 (EMN): The Khuga Dam Right Canal Farmer’s Association (KDRCFA) of Churachandpur has threatened to launch hunger strike from today, July 1 if the state government fails to renovate the Khuga Dam Right Canal, the main inland waterway for irrigation of Churachandpur area.

This was informed by the KDRCFA members to the reporters on Sunday during the inspection of the drought like situation of paddy fields measuring more than 100 hectares at Churachandpur.

“We will be launching hunger strike if our demands are not met,” said the KDRCFA.

On June 10, the association chairman Seikhopao Misao and secretary Khamlal has submitted  an appeal letter to the  Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control department which is now renamed as Water Resources department “to immediately intervene by reconstructing the collapsed Khuga Dam main canal at the earliest so that their fields gets water for paddy cultivation.”

It was reported that the Khuga Dam Right Canal particularly between Saipum and Bohlui has been left unattended by the concerned authority since 2017 after the collapse of the dam. As a result villagers have been facing shortage of water supply both for consumption and agricultural purposes.

Meanwhile, the Khundrakpam Kendra Youth Organisation (Khokyo) demanded the concerned authority to provide irrigation facilities from Dolaithabi barrage immediately for paddy cultivation and other agricultural activities.

Information and Publicity secretary of Khokyo, in a press release issued to media on Sunday claimed that many farmers in their area are facing untold misery after most of the paddy fields are left fallow due to non availability of proper irrigation facilities.

Khokyo also expressed serious concern over the poor quality work of the Dolaithabi barrage.

Chief Minister N Biren singh along with some officials of the state government are expected to visit the drought like situation hit paddy fields today.

Paddy fields in Manipur are facing scanty rainfall this year like that of 2017. Manipur receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,400 mm. But in the last five months, the state is receiving only about 50 percent of the rainfall, according to reports.

In 2017 monsoon season (June-September), Manipur faces rain deficiency.