Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Second Amendment Bill passed
Private Member Resolution on ILP withdrawn
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 22 2011: The controversial Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Second Amendment Bill, 2011 has been passed by the House unanimously today, while a Private Member Resolution moved by Opposition MLA O Joy for adoption and extension of the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 in the State of Manipur was withdrawn as the matter is sub judice with a case pending in the Gauhati High Court.

During the evening session of the State Assembly today, Chief Minister O Ibobi moved the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Second Amendment Bill, 2011, on the floor of the House.

The Bill was discussed in detail by Opposition MLA O Joy, Congress MLA Th Mangibabu and CPI MLA N Mangi.

During the discussion, the three MLAs pointed out that the Loktak Lake is mainly spoiled by the rivers flowing into it.

Destroying the Phumdis as a remedy to save the Loktak Lake will not serve any purpose and at the same time it will destroy the natural ecology of the area.

They also pointed out the need to discuss on the life of the people settling in the Loktak Lake and their fishing profession.

The shelters of the fishermen should also be constructed collectively.

There should also be various welfare schemes for them.

Replying to their proposals, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the Loktak Lake is a gift of Mother Nature.

It is our duty to protect and preserve the lake.

The protection and preservation process carried out by the state government is done in consultation with the Ministry of Forest and with its due clearance.

The government in no way is trying to destroy the lives of the fishermen.

There is no prohibition for the fishermen to fish in the lake.

But if the water body in the Loktak Lake is threatened by the increase in the number of man-made phumdis and the purity of the lake is spoiled by the newly constructed phumdi huts, the government will not tolerate it.

As such the state government has given an amount of Rs 40,000 to every phumdi dwellers for their rehabilitation and made them to burn the huts themselves.

The Chief Minister further said that the government is trying to construct houses for the displaced fishermen and their welfare schemes are also been discussed.

The state government is also planning to increase the area of the Keibul Lamjao National Park by bringing in cut off phumdis from different areas of the lake.

Moreover the government is also planning to build bigger boats which will be more convenient to use in the middle of the lake in ease.

And for this, financial adjustments are also made.

It is because of all these reasons that the Bill has been brought up on the floor of the House for its amendment.

The bill was later passed unanimously.

Leader of MPP Legislature Wing, MLA O Joy moved a Private Member Resolution for adoption and extension of the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 in the State of Manipur.

Moving the private member resolution, MLA O Joy said that Manipur is a small state in India.

The people living in the valleys of the state are prohibited from settling in the hill areas of the state, but the people of the hills can settle in the plains.

As such the population in the valley is increasing at a very fast rate.

At the same time the populations of non-Manipuries are also increasing in the state.

If this trend continues, the indigenous people of the state will become refugees in their own state.

Considering these facts the House needs to discuss and extent the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 in the State of Manipur.

The motion moved by MLA O Joy was also discussed by MLA Dr L Ratan kumar, Mangi and RK Anand.

Though MLA Mangi and RK Anand supported the motion, MLA Dr L Ratankumar said that the Inner Line Permit existed in the state of Manipur during the time of the Kings.

It was lifted in 1950 after Manipur was merged into the Indian Union.

Leader of the House, O Ibobi while welcoming the private member resolution moved by opposition MLA O Joy said that since there is a case pending in the Gauhati High Court after Sapamcha Jadumani filed a PIL, the House cannot pass the resolution as the matter is sub judice.

Speaker I Hemochandra said that since there is a case pending in the Court the House cannot discuss the private member resolution, before the case is withdrawn, however the resolution moved by MLA O Joy is being noted.

Opposition MLA O Joy being satisfied with his private member resolution being noted by the House, withdrew his private member resolution.

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