The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Saturday issued a strong call for the establishment of a 'Farmer Safety Zone' in the periphery of the Imphal Valley, days after a Meitei farmer was critically injured in a gun attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur district. The group has also demanded shoot-at-sight orders against unauthorised armed intruders in these sensitive agrarian zones. The incident, which occurred on Thursday in Phubala, saw farmer Ningthoujam Biren Singh shot, reportedly from the surrounding hills of the conflict-ridden Churachandpur district. Singh was working in the fields at the time and fellow farmers claimed the shots originated from the hillside.
In a statement, COCOMI condemned the attack, calling it an act of "terror" and a "grave security failure." It noted that the shooting took place just 30 metres away from a deployed SSB line and involved a breach through three tiers of security — namely the BSF, Army and SSB.
“This raises serious concerns about the intent, efficiency and reliability of the current security deployment in the valley,” COCOMI stated.
Following the incident, COCOMI representatives met with the Bishnupur Superintendent of Police and later held a security dialogue at the police headquarters with senior officers including ADGP L Kailun and IGP K Kabib.
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COCOMI put forward a series of urgent demands in response to the attack which include declaration of a 'Farmer Safety Zone' across all agrarian belts along foothills and canal areas, immediate designation of these zones as 'No Arms Areas', enforcement of shoot-at-sight orders against unauthorised armed intruders, particularly those carrying assault rifles or deadly weapons, guaranteed uninterrupted access to paddy fields for Meitei farmers without fear of violence or obstruction and deployment of two to three additional companies of security forces for mobile patrolling, along with maintenance of all existing static security posts to ensure 24/7 surveillance.
COCOMI expressed full solidarity with local farming communities and the victim’s family, warning that without these measures, agricultural activity could be further disrupted in the already volatile region.
In response to the incident, locals in Phubala called for a complete shutdown. Movement of security personnel was reportedly blocked in some parts of the district, reflecting growing public anger and fear over the deteriorating security environment.
The attack comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur. Since May 2023, more than 260 people have lost their lives in clashes between the Meitei community, largely based in the valley, and the Kuki tribes, who dominate the adjoining hill districts.
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