Saffron MP leads 'hungry' farmers

Aizawl, Mar 8 (UNI) Led by BJP MP of Bangalore North H T Sangliana, 'hungry' farmers in Mizoram have embarked upon a state-wide campaign for a popular government in the state under the umbrella of Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl, farmers' association.

''We are starving due to the Mautam (bamboo flowering) famine.

Hunger has driven us out of our villages to campaign for a popular government that does not fail the farmers, ZKP president Thanbanglova said at a public meeting at Aibawk village near here today.

Alleging that hundreds of farmers in the villages had started digging soil in search of yams owing to the famine despite the Chief Minister's and repeated assurances for adequate rice, the farmers' leader metaphorically said they may soon be compelled to 'dig for yams' in Aizawl.

The ZKP had been spearheading a fast-growing farmers' movement in the state which ultimately culminated in a massive rally at Aizawl in April last year. During this rally, the farmers' leader had said, ''Our second coming will be different.'' Asked if the 'dig-for-yams' would realise what he had said in the rally, Thanbanglova answered in the affirmative, and added, 'I have identified the right places where to dig for yams.

The farmers' leader said from the farmers' eyes no politician was fit to rule the state anymore, and that was why they had called upon super cop-turned-MP H T Sangliana, the first Mizo to be elected as MP outside Mizoram, to campaign on farmers' behalf in the state.

UNI ZS KK SW KN1914