Miscreants are destroying the backbone of the rural economy in Tripura which would result in slowing down the rural economy as the farmers were on the receiving end of vengeance unleashed by the goons after the Assembly poll results were announced on March 2 last, leaders of Tripura State Unit of All India Krishak Sabha (AIKS) opined.
Addressing a press meeting in Agartala on Sunday (March 26), secretary of the AIKS State unit Pabitra Kar listed out violence unleashed by miscreants targeting the livelihood options of the farmers across the State. Kar said the farmers were the worst sufferers and the agriculture sector alone suffered losses worth Rs 2 crore.
He alleged, even as victim farmers lodged specific complaints with the Police the attacks on their livelihood remained unabated.
The AIKS leader opined the attacks on livelihood in a State like Tripura where the economy is dependent on agriculture will affect the rural economy.
“The backbone of the rural economy came under attack which is still continuing. After destroying the livelihood options of people, the goons have resorted to money extortion – if anyone dares to refuse the extortionists, he is being prevented from going to markets with his products for selling”, Kar alleged.
He forecast a slowing down of the rural economy which would also put the common people in a dire economic situation.
In addition to violence, he continued, there is a serious lack of irrigation facilities that are affecting the paddy cultivation in the State. Farmers of Dhalai, Unakoti and North Tripura districts are facing an uphill task in cultivating Aush paddy owing to a lack of adequate irrigation facilities.
“In view of the present situation, AIKS will submit a deputation to Chief Secretary on April 10 next highlighting the details of losses incurred by the farming communities and demanding his intervention to this end.
Besides, the deputation submission programme will be organized in every district where AIKS district units will submit deputation on the same issues to the respective DMs”, Pabitra Kar informed the media.
Meantime, Pabitra Kar also said, a delegation from Tripura will take part in a rally, organized by the AIKS, in New Delhi on April 5 next in support of 13-point demand including the introduction of an Act pertaining to Minimum Support Price (MSP) etc.
