Loktak lake fishermen welcome HC directives; label LDA as fail Institution
Source: IT News

Imphal, August 26 2019: Appreciating the High Court Order stating that no development works can be implemented in the Loktak Lake without the permission of the High court of Manipur, All Loktak Lake Fisherman Union Manipur congratulate such landmark order by the High Court.

Speaking to media persons in a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club General Secretary of ALLAFUM Oinam Rajen said appreciated the rightful intervention Into the misappropriation of public money in the name of conservation and management of Loktak Lake, Manipur.

Claiming that Loktak Development Authority (LDA) which is solely responsible for the development of Loktak becomes a failed institution he said that the condition of the Lake worsen even though huge amount of money were sanctioned for the development of the lake.

Questioning the clearance of Phumdis claimed by LDA which is about 132.94 lakhs cubic metres from the lake Rajen asked the place or the dumping ground for such huge Phumdis where amount was also sanctioned for the work.

He added that LDA has been clearing the Athaphum which is more like a fishing equipment and also help in conserving the lake instead of Phumdis which were piled up around 60 km stretch making the water stagnant and polluted.

Bamboo barricade is stocking Phum and rearing for Phumdis proliferations which is another means to earn money in the name of Phumdi clearance, he added.

He stressed that while cleaning Phumdi, LDA have created siltation, pollution, water contamination, destruction of Loktak ecology and its fragile habitat and further in the name of management LDA have cut down hillock inside the Lake and reclaim wetlands into artificial ground which is against the prevailing laws including the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act 2006 .

Pointing out the money for those who were left to avail their compensation for burning their Phum huts he asked where the money for the compensation of 258 phum huts owner for their livelihood package went into and the compensation amounts to Rupees One Crore three lakhs twenty thousand.

Considering the LDA is destroying the Loktak Lake in the name of Conservation and management by looting public money by burning phum huts but not paying livelihood package he continued that human rights are violated and the natural riverine system of Loktak are destroyed.

Questioning whether the LDA Project Director have the magistrate power to order evictions of the phumhuts he stressed that LDA have issued illegal eviction notice without the knowledge of the district administration which is illegal.

He also said that The Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act 2006 did not empower any eviction activities and added that the Project Director violates the Act itself by imposing illegal eviction including burning of phumhuts.

He further appealed the concern authorities to institute an impartial, independent enquiry into the matter of corruption and human rights violation in and around the Loktak Lake and those found guilty must be given befitting punishment according to the law.

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