Fisher folks demand welfare schemes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 25, 2012:
Decrying Government apathy towards the plight of the fishing community who were fished out from their homes on the floating biomass of Loktak Lake nearly a year back.
All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union has demanded appropriate rehabilitation programme and relevant assistance.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, Union president H Kula contended that under the pretext of Loktak Lake development, Loktak Development Authority (LDA) schemed ouster of the fishing community from their centuries-old homes on the floating biomass in November 2011. The forcible removal of the Loktak dwellers by burning their homes and fishing equipment had not only severed source of sustenance for hundreds of families but many are suffering untold miseries for there is still no sign of rehabilitating them, lamented the Union leader.
Citing the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006 as the chief factor for the hardships being endured by the fishing community, he strongly suggested repealing the Act or replacing the 'legislation with Fishermen's Rights and Welfare Act to ensure rights of the fishing community are protected.
With regard to the LDA report mentioning that out of the total of 1110 fishermen's huts in the Loktak Lake 777 had been dismantled/destroyed and 333 still remains untouched, Kula proposed that the 333 huts be protected for the convenience of the fishing community.
He further demanded that housing scheme mentioned in the rehabilitation/welfare package be implemented at the earliest.Pointing out that many fishing nets are being regularly destroyed due to patrolling of the Lake area by security force personnel in motor boats/hovercrafts, Kula also opined that the Government's proposal for ring-round road development along the banks of the Loktak Lake will only cause more pollution to one of the region's largest fresh water lakes.
The Union president reiterated his appeal to the Government of Manipur for suitable welfare measures to the displaced fishing community without further delay.