Displaced Loktak dwellers air plight to PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2011:
Fishing community, who have been rendered homeless following dismantling of their huts from the floating biomasses on Loktak Lake consequent to crackdown by the Government of Manipur, have highlighted their plight to the Prime Minister through a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, general secretary of All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's' Union O Rajen Singh expressed strong resentment that even days after their homes had been dismantled there are no rehabilitation measures for the homeless fishing community till date.
An 11-point charter of demand, including alternative arrangement for settlement and livelihood has been handed over to Governor Gurbachan Jagat today for further submission to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan, who would be arriving here tomorrow, said the Union secretary who construed that forcible dismantling of their dwelling places was not only an inhumane act but also testified the Government's strong-arm tactics.
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He elaborated that the memorandum contained demands for amending The Manipur Loktak Protection Act 2006 with conformity to aspiration/wish of the affected people; restoring the fishing community's place of residence at the Loktak Lake; enact Manipur Loktak Lake Fisherfolk Rights and Welfare Act; revision of the Loktak Multi-purpose Hydro-electric Project for possible de-commissioning of Ithai Barrage; recognise community rights to use, manage and control the Loktak wetlands by taking into account dependence by a substantial population on the Loktak Lake; withhold delegating ownership rights of the Lake to Loktak Development Authority and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation; recognise the role and rights of community in the protection of Loktak Lake; provide rehabilitation and resettlement amenities to the displaced Loktak dwellers; provide land to the landless fisherfolk; adequate compensation for physical damages, including fishing gears and nets during the eviction drive of the Government; revoke eviction order of the LDA; immediate relief measures for the displaced families; and formulate a wetlands development policy of Manipur with due participation of the people of Manipur.
All Manipur Thanga People's Welfare Association secretary H Kula Singh, who was also present at the media briefing described the forcible eviction of the Loktak dwellers as an act of terrorism.
He informed that the displaced fishing community are presently taking refuge at the Thanga Haoreibi Chingyang community hall with no Government assistance since launch of the crackdown.
Opining that the crackdown was a covert exercise intent on only bagging the Rs 87 crore package from the union Government, Kula said the fishing community is not against development of Manipur but suggested that proper rehabilitation measures for the affected section of the society should be accorded top priority.
He also ridiculed the rich depiction of the Loktak Lake and history of its dwellers at the recently held Sangai Manipur Festival while the displaced settlers are enduring severe hardships.
Some members of the fishing community also narrated their tale of woes in the aftermath of the Government crackdown.