Compensation for destroyed fish farms demanded
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 02 2012:
Fishermen of Thanga under the aegis of Live-Stock Rearing cum Fish Farmers' Welfare & Loktak Lake Development Cooperative Society Ltd have demanded the state government for giving Rs 1 crore as compensation for the Cage Culture Farms in Manung Pat which were destroyed by Loktak Development Authority (LDA) with the help of security forces.
Manung Pat had a total of 75 Cage Farms that were set up under Live-Stock Rearing cum Fish Farmers' Welfare & Loktak Lake Development Cooperative Society.
The farmers in the areas were contributing about half of the total fish production in the state.
On many occasions, many of the farmers under the Society have also been awarded in the annual Fish exhibition.
With the help of security forces, LDA cleared the cage farms from Manung Pat August 8 to August 14.Objecting to that, the affected fish farmers carried out a protest rally at Thanga Chinglak Keithel on August 22 .
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Secretary of the Society, N Nilachadra informed that it has submitted memorandum to the state government, LDA and Fisheries Department demanding payment of compensation.
If the government fails to meet the demand, the aggrieved farmers would be compelled to launch a series of intense agitation even to the extent of seeking legal assistance.
He asserted that the fish farmers were not given any prior information about clearing of the cage culture farms despite the fact that they have been provided loans and grants by the Fisheries department for rearing fishes.