National Human Rights Commission registers case and issue notice to Chief Secy Manipur regarding eviction drive at Loktak
- Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) -

Imphal, 22 December 2011:

Loktak Phumdi dwellers evicted by state government on 15 November 2011 :: Picture Credit - Rameshchandra / Karnajit Maibam

Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE)
(Indigenous Peoples' Organisation in Special Consultative Relationship with ECOSOC of United Nations)
1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara
Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India
Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19
Website: www.coremanipur.org

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has, according to a reliable source, registered a case taking cognizance of an Urgent Appeal submitted on 30th November 2011 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 khangpok-sangs carried out by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) assisted by the Manipur Police and security forces stationed in and around Loktak from 15 – 25 November 2011. The eviction drive was conducted under the provisions of the draconian Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act of 2006.

According to Shri Satyabrata Pal, Hon’ble Member, NHRC, the Commission has issued a notice on 19th December 2011, returnable within four weeks of its receipt, to Mr. D. S. Poonia, Chief Secretary to the Government of Manipur. He further said that the NHRC had also recently issued a directive to the Manipur Government to initiate a CBI investigation regarding the reported misuse of central funds allocated for the clearing of phumdi from the Loktak.

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, Manipur, and in makeshift camps nearby. Their fishing gear and nets were burnt. The families are described by the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act of 2006 as “occupiers”, and the Government of Manipur 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. With the winter already set in Manipur, 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.

A peaceful protest rally reportedly taken out from Thanga by the affected families on 19th December 2011 were stopped by the police at Ithing who resorted to threats, abuse and firing. It was learnt from reliable sources that eleven (11) women had to be taken to the Community Health Centre at Moirang for various injuries and hurt. One woman has been referred to the RIMS Hospital for further treatment after she was allegedly assaulted by a police officer.

(Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam)
Convenor
Centre for Organisation Research & Education