NHRC Chairman to visit State
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2013:
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission has reportedly assured to visit the State to probe cetain issues including eviction of fishermen from Loktak pat and violation of fishermen's rights.
Addressing reporters today at Keishampat, Secretary of Loktak Lake Area Fishermen Union, Oinam Rajen conveyed that the Chairman of NHRC is visiting the State.
However, the date for the visit has not been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, a sit-in protest would be staged on May 15 with representatives of All India Fishers and Fisheries Workers' Federation.
Rajen further said the Loktak Lake Area Fishermen Union had submitted a representation to UN Special Rapporteur on VAW, Rashida Manjoo, during her recent visit to the State.
The union demanded the repeal of Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 .
Loktak Lake Area Fishermen Union has also submitted separate representations to the National Human Rights Commission and the National President of BJP.
Rajen further said the NHRC has handed over the case of assaulting participants of the peace rally that was organised on Dec 29 to the CBI.
He recalled that a team of Moirang police led by OC Dhananjoy had assaulted the rallyists while they were taking out a peace rally at Thanga in Bishnupur district.
The union had filed a case with NHRC.
Following a hearing on Jan 22 this year, the Commission has ordered a CBI probe into the assault case, Rajen pointed out.
He also reiterated that the Loktak Lake Area Fishermen Union's demand for the repeal of Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006, decommissioning the Ithai Barrage and reviewing the Loktak Hydro-electric power project.