Govt urged to aid storm-hit fishers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 21 2023:
Loktak Lake Fishermen's Welfare Society has appealed to the government and the authorities concerned to provide compensation to the storm affected fishing communities residing in and around Loktak Lake.
In a release, Society's secretary Megha Haobijam informed that the strong windstorm on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday caused serious damages to properties of Thanga Ithing Leikai, Thanga Sendra Leikai, Thanga Khola Leikai, Thanga Ngaram Leikai and several other villages around Loktak Lake with Champu Khangpok village the worst hit.
According to Megha, roofs of several houses were blown away, trees uprooted and branches fell on houses while equipment used in fishing have been destroyed beyond repair and many submerged in the Lake, leaving the fishermen helpless.
Pointing out that as traditional methods of fishing using biomass (phumdi) have been restricted as per the Loktak Protection Act 2006, the secretary said that the fishing community who depend on Loktak Lake for livelihood have started fishing activities with onset of spring season.