ALLAFUM submits memo to PM
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, October 17 2013:
In a bid to save the Loktak Lake and its fishermen from being denied their right of fishing for their livelihood, a memorandum was submitted to the central government with various demands.
The All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's' Union Manipur (ALLAFUM) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi, Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh and leader of the Left Front Basudev Archaria on a 4-day visit from October 7-10 at the national capital demanding to save Loktak Lake, said O.Rajen, secretary of ALLAFUM in a meeting with press persons at the Citizen Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) office located at keishampat.O.Rajen expressed that the committee is firm in their stand and will continue to fight for their right to profession, dignity of labour and right to live with dignity.
The committee has made demands for the repeal of Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006, decommission of the Ithai Barage, enactment of Manipur Loktak Lake Fisherman's Rights and Welfare Act among the few.
He also questioned the government why they have newly sanctioned an amount of Rs 2.20 crore even though the earlier sanctioned amount of Rs 2.24 crore has been misused for non-developmental works.
The use of high technology and machine in the lake for welfare will not drag the lake to its original beauty form until the construction of the Ithai Barage is withdrawn.
The team met with central leaders like UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi, Joint Secretary of the National Advisory Committee, Government of India, Malisha and member of Ekta Prishad, Ramesh Sharma recently.
The committee also revealed that they had met with Vijaya Chakraborty, MP and Standing Committee member during her national parliamentary visit to Manipur regarding the current scenario of Loktak Lake, wetlands and its dependence to which she had given positive response.