Hapless Farmers in Manipur 'Read' Hard Times

By Lalmalsawm Sungte
Nov 15: Bamboo flowering season may be happy times for swamping rats but hapless farmers in southwest Manipur (a state in northeast India) are 'reading' hard times. Farmers are already fighting a tough battle for survival even as the rats multiply rapidly beyond their control. Laying traps and guarding  crops for months together have failed.
"Many farmers do not reap even ten baskets of rice as the rats ravaged our fields," said Lala (name changed), a farmer from Damdiei village in this hill State.
Meanwhile Mizoram (the neighbouring state) government has geared up to meet the rat menace though the Govermnet of Manipur prefer to "sleep over the issue" said Thanga another farmer from Taithu village.
"It's a bad year. We expect the government to take note of the situation. We do not know what to do," said Neia, a farmer from Patpuihmun village who had come to Churachandpur town to stay with relatives.
Though most of South West Manipur hill region, bordering Mizoram, would be affected by the bad harvest all eyes are on Tipaimukh sub-division as it shared border with the thick bamboo forests of Mizoram where the rats have destroyed "almost every standing crop".
Manipur govt silent
The people in this part of Manipur are either too poor or do not have the time to come to the nearest town —Churachandpur — which is over 250 km to voice their grievances. To make the matter worst  Manipur government chooses to remain silent on the issue. There has been no words from the government so far on how it plan to tackle the situation. 
Some villagers blamed the bad transport system as the ills of all worriments. "The national highway which had enabled us to reach home within 7-8 hours is now taking us 3-4 days. If the road was good we do not have to worry much as essential items can easily reach our villages," said a villager from Parbung on condition of anonymity.
Famine like-situation 
Famine-like situation is already prevailing in the area, according to some NGO's working in Churachandpur town. Some have taken steps to meet the "alarming situation" by calling for "Famine Relief Fund". But without "active government support their efforts would not help much", said Alfred Hmar from Churachandpur town, who is in constant touch with the people from Tipaimukh area.
Manipur University's noted historian Prof Lal Dena who recently released a book titled, "In Search of Identity: Hmars of North-East India" in New Delhi early this month has said the money from the sale of his book will go to the "famine-stricken villagers".