Amended Lake Act rejected
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 02 2012:
A public meeting held today at Thanga Chinglak Bazar Community Hall has rejected the amended Loktak Lake Protection Act contending that the amendment did not take into account wishes and aspirations of the people, particularly fishing families.
The meeting held under the aegis of the All Loktak Area Fishermen's Union resolved that the amendment was a hogwash aimed at befooling the people.
The meeting deliberated on the impacts of the Manipur Loktak (Protection ) Act 2006 on fishing families and other people settled around the lake, the Government's policy for management and conservation of weltands as well as the guidelines of the Ramsar Convention.
The meeting resolved that the Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006 should be rescinded completely.
After conveying gratitude to the Ramsar Secretariat and the National Human Rights Commission for taking up cases in connection with the forced eviction of fishing families and phumdi dwellers recently, the meeting resolved to appeal to the two bodies to pursue the cases more stringently and intensively.
Another resolution of the meeting was to ensure mass participation in any activity aimed at preservation and development of Loktak Lake.
It also condemned the ruthless crackdown on a peaceful rally by Moirang police at Thanga Chingzin some days back.
It also denounced all anti-people activities undertaken by the Government in the name of development programmes.
Another resolution of the meeting was to urge the Government to enact a special Act for welfare and development of fishing community.
The public meeting was attended by the president of the All Manipur Thanga People Welfare Association Oinam Yaima and convenor of the All Loktak Area Fishermen's Union Oinam Kheda as presidium members.
Centre for Organisation Research and Education Director Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, senior environmentalist RK Ranjan and Human Rights Alert Director Bablu Loitongbam addressed the gathering as resource persons.