GCCM urges state police to rescue distressed farmers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2020

The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya (GCCM) has urged the state police to rescue distress farmers who are unable to sell their agricultural produce due to the national lockdown to combat COVID-19.

In a letter to the state DGP R Chandranathan on Saturday, GCCM chairman John F Kharshiing said , “We request you to examine the possibilities for the Meghalaya Police creating a synergy with Hill Farmer Union for the preference in supply of the genuine local produce to the MLA/IRBN Battalions so as to support the local farmers during this time of crisis.”

He said the council has received a number of distress messages from the Hill Farmers Union (HFU) leaders informing that the farmers are facing distress due to the present crisis.

He said as per letter from HFU, there is an urgent distress request call from farmers from

Umraleng and adjoining villages which is 15/16km from Umiam Highway, this village is ahead of Umbir and Mawlyndep village looking for solutions to sell their current produce which is fresh local carrots.

“They inform that the farmers of umlareng village area is/will be harvesting around 1000 kgs of carrots and need urgent help to sell an lift them. Similarly, a large quantity of Peas, Lakum, Mustard Leaves, harvested from Mylliem, Sadew upto Mawngap area. There is also Tomatoes and Capsicum being harvested from Umsning upto Nongpoh area,” Kharshiing said.

The chairman said a large quantity of cabbage is also available from Mawkynrew and Sohryngkham areas. Fruits such as banana is also harvested in plenty from Ri-Bhoi area while Strawberry is also being harvested from Mawkynrew and Mylliem areas.