ALAFUM questions LHDA clarification
Source: The Sangai Express

Thanga, February 04 2014: The All Loktak Lake Fishermen's Union Manipur (ALAFUM) asserted that the press statement released by the Loktak Huts Dwellers Welfare Association(LHDA) lacked clarification on the Manipur Lokatak Lake(Protection) Act, 2006 and The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Rules, 2008 .

According to the statement issued by O Rajen Singh, Secretary, ALAFUM, said that the reported survey carried out by LHDA which reported the number of Phumhuts as 1100, was incorrect.

He clarified that it is wrong to state that phumhuts fishermen are the Loktak Lake fishermen as there are other fishermen outside the phumhuts as well.

The 2nd Amendment of the MLLPA, which curtail the fishermen's rights on the Loktak Lake, was moved and introduced on August 2011 and December 2011 under the pressure of the LHDA to the concern MLA, the statement said.

It further added that the said amendment is against the interest of the fishing community as inserted in section 31A under the MLLA.

However rule No 3 of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protect) Rules, 2008 says that any person or institu-tion or society or trust or organisation may obtain the resources of the Lake for commercial purposes after applying to the Project Director and payment of fees determined by the authority.

Therefore, the organisation questioned where their rights are as per the rule passed under the Manipur Lokatak Lake(protect) Rules, 2008 .

Comment