Loktak fishers stage sit-in protest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Bishnupur, July 30 2022:
Fishing community of Loktak lake on Saturday staged a sit-in protest in front of Ningthoukhong ITI organised by Loktak Fishing Association to denounce some labourers randomly cutting and scattering 'Phumdi' (floating biomass) in Loktak lake thereby disrupting livelihood activities of fishers.
Speaking to media persons at the protest venue, one O Mangijao Singh informed that they have no issue with Loktak Development Authority (LDA) removing the phumdi, but cutting of the same into tiny portions and keeping afloat in the lake is detrimental to the daily activities of laying fishing traps and nets apart from such callous acts polluting the Loktak.
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Hence, if these cut phumdis are not removed within 10 days, they will take recourse to legal action, he warned.
Mangijao continued that they are also ready to clear the 'Athapum' (artificially grown phumdi) from the lake.
Stating that the government should also resume the earlier system, he emphasised that the fishing community has been depending on income generated from growing the phumdis and rearing fish inside the ring bund while the huts built on such phumdi is used for monitoring the fish traps and nets.
Further stating that the phumdis are grown and maintained only for six months, he urged the government to consider the plight of the fishermen who depend on Loktak lake for livelihood.