MLLAPA- 2006 not to save Loktak, asserts Rajen
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Thanga, September 03 2012:
Considering the dilution of Loktak lake, General Secretary of All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union Manipur, Oinam Rajen has asserted that Manipur Loktak Lake Area Protection Act- 2006 (MLLAPA- 2006) is not to protect lake nor in interest of the fishermen.
Interacting with a team of documentary filmmakers led by social activist Y Sadananda and media persons, Rajen said that the MLLAPA- 2006 is not to protect Loktak lake, but to deprive the occupation of the fishermen who earned their livelihood from the lake.
In the name of saving the lake, exploitation of fishermen's right by the government is intolerable.
Pointing out that dilution of the lake is not done by the fishermen, but by the dirty rivers flowing through Imphal city and draining into the lake, Rajen pointed out that all the pollutants have been accumulated at the lake, thus deteriorating the natural condition of Loktak.
He further pointed out that in 2010 a survey called 'Floating House Survey' was conducted by authorities to provide livelihood packages to fishermen.
However, when inquired about the surveyed documents, the surveyor refused to produce them.
Criticizing the state government for not considering the interest of the common people, members of the union lamented that after four days of submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister highlighting the grievances of the fishermen, the government came up with a notification through media directing the poor fishermen to remove all the floating huts on November 11, 2011 .
The fishermen sought for five days' time to shift their goods, by the government did not listen and destroyed all the floating huts on November 16, 2012 .
Apart from destroying all the huts, security forces also burned all the fishing equipments, the Union alleged, adding that some people also misused the compensation (Rs 40,000) which was given by the government to the owners of the huts and many of the genuine fishermen didn't receive even a single rupee.
The team of media person and documentary filmmakers also visited some of the most polluted areas around Loktak lake.