Fishermen union to launch agitations

IMPHAL, February 17: The Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union and Thanga People’s Welfare Association have today announced to launch agitations starting tomorrow as the Loktak Development Association has failed to revoked its November 11, 2011 notification as demanded earlier, informed O Rajen Singh, General Secretary of the fishermen’s union.

He was addressing a press meet called by the Community on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur at its office at Keishampat this evening.

He further said that as per the Guwahati High Court notice on December 18, 2012, villagers have the right to stay and not to be given any disturbances by any authority. "In this regard, the LDA  notice for the villagers to vacate their homes and property is  against the law,' he said while appealing to the concerned department to make a special investigation on this matter.

Further speaking to the media, he said the fisher Union had earlier submitted a memorandum on 2nd December 2011 to the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh on the occasion of his visit to Manipur on 3rd December 2011 through the Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Jagat for rehabilitation and resettlement of Phumdi Dwellers, fisher-folk of Loktak Lake affected by arsoning and eviction under the Manipur Loktak Protection act 2006.

He continued that the indigenous community in and around the Loktak Lake periphery for generations have lived around the lake which is a source of their survival. The LDA enforcing a blank ban on building huts in phumdies inside the lake, planting athapum or engaging in athaphum fishing in the core area threatens the very survival of fisherman, he said.

The memorandum further carried a series of demands including repeal of the Manipur Loktak Protection Act 2006 in accordance with the wishes of people, enactment of the Manipur Loktak Lake fisher-folk and Welfare Act, and review the Loktak Lake Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for possible decommissioning of the Ithai Barrage.

Speaking at the press meet, one of the fishermen said that that life was becoming miserable for basic survival following the insecurity among the community of fishermen and locals living around the lake.
She further appealed to the government to take serious concern about the issue.