A confrontation took place between the members of Manipur Milk Producer Cooperative Society and Porompat police while the former attempted to lock down the office room of the managing director of Manipur Milk Producer Cooperative United Limited, Porompat, Imphal East on Wednesday.
A discussion on price of milk was conducted in Porompat, Imphal East during which the farmers stated that the current price paid by the milk union towards them needs to be increased. Due to the price hike on medicine, food and others for cattle, the price paid by the union towards cattle farmers is much lower, they asserted.
The farmers, however, failed to meet managing director Ng Ibotombi who is also director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, agendas such as untimely payment of money for the cattle farmers were also discussed.
After stating their various demands, the members of Manipur Milk Producer Cooperative society stormed the Manipur Milk Producer Cooperative United Limited office and tried to lock down the chamber of its managing director claiming that he is not suited for the post.
One of the members of the society, from IVR milk cooperative society, Nongmaithem Dhanabir told the media that the members tried to meet the managing director several times, demanding to increase the price of milk but the farmers failed to meet him several times.
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For the past four years of his service, cattle farmers and members of the society had been facing severe problems while trying to meet the managing director, he added.
Ibotombi has been giving priority to Veterinary and Animal Husbandry as director instead of taking care of the cattle farmers, said Dhanabir.
“The demand of members of the milk society to increase the price of milk to Rs 50.14 should be fulfilled by May 30. If there is no milk society then there will be no milk union,” he cautioned.
Another member of the society of Nachou, Laishram Jayenta said the milk union is paying Rs 35 per litre which is inappropriate in the present scenario.
The state government and authorities concerned should be aware of the challenges faced by the cattle farmers while rearing the cattle, he appealed.
