ALLAFUM petitions PM on MLLPA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 12 2014: All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union, Manipur (ALLAFUM) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and authority concerned demanding repeal of Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act 2006 .

Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, ALLAFUM secretary O Rajen said that with the imposition of the Act, Loktak Development Authority (LDA) officials prohibit fishing, raid houses and arrest fishermen.

Questioning whether LDA officials have the authority to raid houses and arrest fishermen under the Act, O Rajen said that the ALLAFUM had submitted memoranda to Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Law Minister, Union Agriculture Minister and Union Environment Minister stating that the Act is more dreadful than AFSPA.

He added that a copy each of the memorandum had also been submitted to the State Governor, MPs, Chief Minister, Home Minister, Law Minister, Forest and Environment Minister.

He said that the memorandum mentioned that the Act aspires to protect the staff of LDA and has nothing to do with the protection of Loktak lake and people residing at the periphery of the lake.

As such, the memorandum demanded that the Act be replaced by another one which can protect the lake and people of the area.

O Rajen said that the ecological structure and environment of Loktak is deteriorating day by day after Loktak Multipurpose Project was commissioned in 1980 .

Saying that blocking of water at Ithai barrage is the main cause for pollution of Loktak water, O Rajen said that the lake can be saved only when Ithai barrage is removed.

He added that the Government must take up a programme for the livelihood of the people residing at the periphery of the lake.

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