NHRC files a case in favour of Loktak eviction affected people
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22 2011:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has registered a case taking cognizance of an Urgent appeal submitted on November 30 by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's Union and All Manipur Thanga People's Welfare Association regarding the widely reported eviction drive and arson of hundreds of phum khangpoksangs carried out by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) assisted by the Manipur police and security forces stationed in and around Loktak from November 15 to 25, informed a release issued by the convenor of Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) .
It is maintained that the eviction drive was conducted under the provisions of Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act of 2006 .
According to NHRC Member Satyabrata Pal, the Commission has issued a notice on December 19, returnable within four weeks of its receipt, to DS Poonia, Chief Secretary to the Government of Manipur.
The families affected by the eviction and arson including women, children and elderly are still reported to be taking refuge at Haoreng Chingyang at Thanga and Ningthoukhong Makha Leikai community hall in Bishenpur district and in nearby makeshift camps.
Their fishing gear and nets were burnt.
Describing as "occupiers" by the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act of 2006, the State Government distributed some money abandoning the community in an extremely stressful situation, with no sustainable measures to rehabilitate them and nothing to fend for themselves.
Many of the children can no longer go to school, it added.
The displaced villagers are facing many inconveniences, such as health complications of the elderly and young children.
Lack of food, clean drinking water and access to hygienic sanitation are only some of their immediate woes.
The peaceful protest rally taken out from Thanga by the affected families on December 19 was also stopped by the police at Ithing who resorted to threats, abuse and firing, it added.
It was learnt from reliable sources that 11 women were taken to the Community Health Centre at Moirang for various injuries and hurt where a woman has been referred to the RIMS Hospital for further treatment.
The NHRC Member further said that the commission has also recently issued a directive to the State Govt to initiate a CBI investigation regarding the reported misuse of central funds allocated for clearing the phumdis (floating biomass) from the lake.