Thanga's annual investment meets watery grave
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11 2010: With many fish farms in Thanga Assembly Constituency of Bishnupur district inundated with flood water causing loss in terms of lakhs of rupees, affected fish farmers have appealed to the Government to take up necessary immediate measures to bail them out from the situation.

MLA of Thanga Assembly Constituency T Manibabu today personally visited the flood affected areas of his Constituency and took a first hand account of the devastation caused to the fish farms.

The MLA was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district T Sithlou, SDC of Kumbi and other Government officials during the inspection.

Many fish farms at Khordak, Nongmaikhong, Khangaton and other places located adjacent to Keibul Lamjao National Park have been flooded and the fishes have escaped.

Local MLA T Mangibabu takes a look at some of the fish rearing ponds which have over flooded

According to the affected fish farmers, the fishes have escaped as the water level of the farms rose like never before on account of the incessant rain in the intervening nights of October 10 and 11 .

Among the fishes which had gone along with the overflooding water, there were many full grown ones which were supposed to be sold for the Ningol Chakkouba festival due next month.

Most of the fish farmers have taken loans from the banks to set up the farms as well as for rearing the fishes.

Now with their farms flooded and the fishes gone, they are worried how they would repay the loan.

They have also drawn the attention of the State Government and others concerned for taking up necessary measures to bail them out from their present unenviable position.

Interacting with the flood affected people, MLA Mangibabu assured that the after the immediate relief measures being taken up for the people whose houses have been destroyed in the flood, the Government would be looking after the needs of other flood affected people on priority basis.

He also assured the affected fish farmers of every possible assistance from his side and said that adequate compensation would be paid after a survey of the district administration and the department concerned.

During his inspection, the MLA also provided around 2500 bags of sand to the people for strengthening the river embankment to prevent breaching.