Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24 2010:
Even as the controversy of handing over of Rs 224 crore-Loktak Lake clean-up project has just died down, the project is likely to face another roadblock as around 10,000 villagers residing at phumdis (floating biomasses) are set to strongly oppose their displacement.
K Pro Infra Works Private Ltd has been reportedly entrusted to clean up around 132.94 lakh cubic metres of phumdis from the lake.
The villagers under the banner of All Loktak Lake Floating Hut Dwellers Progressive Committee are all set to launch various forms of agitation if they are forced out from the phumdis, where they have been residing since time immemorial.
Speaking in a press conference held at Champak Khangpok of the lake today, General Secretary of the Committee, Ningthoujam Rakhon Singh said, "Phumdis are our life and we will live and die here only " .
He said that the villagers would not leave the phumdis even if they have to die.
The General Secretary also expressed dissatisfaction to the local MLA for not helping the poor phumdi villagers at this crucial juncture.
Executive Member of the Committee, Oinam Mangi said, "Fishing is our livelihood and phumdis are our only homestead, we cannot leave phumdis" .
He said that the Government is planning to clear all the floating biomasses of the lake under Loktak Protection Act 2006 .
Mangi added that the villagers came to know about this Act only after officials of K Pro Infra Works Private Ltd told about it on March 10 .
Earlier, people thought that only atha phums (artificially grown phumdis) would be cleaned, Mangi said and added, but it turned out to be something else which phumdi villagers would not agree at all.
Mangi further said that around 10,000 villagers are residing at phumdi villages of Ngaten Mamei, Meleibi, Lamyai Touthabi, Chinghou, Yangoi Pandon, Khong Akaibi etc.
He also said that these villages are included in the Electoral List.
Regarding Government's notion of polluting the lake by phumdi villagers, Mangi said that main reason of pollution in the lake is Ithai Dam.