Fishermen decry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24 2014 :
Even as the National Human Rights Commission had in October last year directed the Loktak Development Authority to file status report containing all details within a time frame, the Commission's directive has not been implemented so far, alleged the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union, Manipur.
The NHRC had conducted a three-day hearing here in October 2013 on the displacement of fishermen of Loktak area.
The Commission directed the LDA to submit a status report within six weeks to pave way for entrusting the case to the CBI.
Speaking to reporters today at the Keishampat office of Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Secretary of All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union, Manipur, O Rajen said that the status report, as directed by the NHRC, has not been submitted till today after the lapse of over 12 weeks.
Out of 1110 fishermen families evicted from Loktak Pat, compensation was given to 519 families while the rest did not receive compensation till date, Rajen pointed out.
Instead of submitting the status report, the authority concerned has attempted to give compensation to 258 evicted Phumdi hut owners which is a reversal of the Gauhati High Court's ruling, he said.
Rajen further asserted that the evicted families did not want any compensation, but want to engage in their profession without any disturbance.