Farmers' movement gains momentum

Aizawl, Apr 20 (UNI) Farmers' movement in Mizoram has gained momentum as thousands of 'desperate' peasants threatened to resort to violent struggle if the government continued its 'corrupt' practices.

Yesterday they participated in an 'anti-corruption' rally here.

''The government has robbed us of our share from the various Centrally-sponsored funds. We organised the rally out of despair and anguish. If the government waits for violent struggle, we are ready for that. We are ready to die fighting for our rights,'' Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl president Thanbanglova said at the rally.

Majority of the rallyists are farmers from rural areas, brought together by 'injustices'.

The farmers shouted slogans like, ''We want rice, not turmeric'' (slamming the government's decision to cultivate turmeric in large scale and the present rice crisis in Mizoram); ''Give us markets to sell our products''; ''Give us our share from the Central funds,'' and ''The government must stop corrupt practices immediately, or else face violent struggle''.

The farmers also criticised the Mizoram government's 'injudicious' use of the Centrally-sponsored Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme (Baffacos).

The farmers passed a six-point resolutions, a copy of which was submitted to the Governor.

The resolution asked the Zoramthanga government to fulfil its election manisfesto to 'purchase home-grown ginger at Rs 10 per kilo from the farmers' doorsteps'. It also demanded crop insurance and investigation into the misappropriation of Baffacos funds.

Lastly, the farmers pledged to go to any length to see that the poor farmers enjoy their rights. ''Whom we voted to power have oppressed us. Now, we will fight for our rights till the last drop of our blood,'' they pledged.

UNI