Lup appeals to withdraw eviction notice
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 13 2021:
Pumlen Pat Khoidum Lamjao Kanba Apunba Lup has appealed to Kakching DC to recall the notification made on March 23, 2021 for the residents of the wetland area to vacate within 30 days.
In a press release, president Yum-khaibam Gulapi and secretary Salam Joy Singh of the Apunba Lup, which is the union of 26 villages dependent on Pumlen wetland engaged in fishing and farming activities, recounted that wrote to the Kakching DC and forwarded the same to the Prime Minister and the CM on April 23 pointing out that the notification is violation of Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees right to life and livelihood to communities including those dependent on Pumlen wetland.
The written memorandums were served seven months back but there has been no response from the DC or the government, the release lamented and conveyed the eviction notice has created great sense of insecurity and uncertainty on the minds of thousands of people whose lives are traditionally dependent on the periphery of the wetland area.
"We are fully conversant with our ancestral rights and also the Wetlands Rules 2017, the Loktak Protection Act, 2006 and the agenda of the Forest Department to bring in Conservation Reserve of Sangai," it said, and alleged that covert attempts are being made by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) and the Forest Department to use some locals to create confusion and dilute the unified stand of the affected villagers.
The Union also contended that LDA and Forest Department continue to make "feeble entry" by forming bodies like Wetlands Mitra(s) in Loktak and Pumlen or holding frequent meetings at Tokpaching though these bodies do not represent the voices of the 26 villages living around the wetland.
The union reiterated its appeal to the Kakching DC and the government to withdraw the notification immediately and also demanded LDA and Forest Department not to interfere with Pumlen and wetland dependent villages.