IMPHAL, October 26: Joint Committee on Conservation of Loktak Wetlands, an umbrella organization consisting of various women civil organizations appeals that the Loktak Day observation should be conducted sans festivities.
Addressing media persons at HERICOUN office today, representatives of AMKIL, Poirei Leimarol,MIKHOL, KANGLAMEI, WACAK, Ching Tam United Women Association, Kangleipak Women Welfare Association mentioned their stance that the Loktak lake is synonymous with the rich historical culture of the State and thousands depend their livelihood from the lake bounty.
Desecration of the lake by merry makers on Loktak Day and the Loktak Development Authority evicting fishers needs to be condemned.
Further, the controversy regarding awarding of Phumdi cleaning work of the lake to K-Pro which involves a huge amount needs to be investigated thoroughly, the representatives mentioned.
The committee appealed that all religious practice on Loktak Day with a cultural flavor is welcome but deterioration of morality following the entertainment programs is decried and should be refrained, they added.
Meanwhile, the National Fishworkers’ Forum which is comprised of several trade unions in India has sent a memorandum to Okram Ibobi Singh on October 25.
Pradip Chatterjee, secretary of the Federation states the displacement of the Loktak fisher community and phumdi clearing operation are not sticking to internationally accepted norms and have rather led to environmental and human rights impacts.
Further, there have been allegations of corruption and nepotism in the clearance of phumdis from Loktak Lake and involvement of K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd.
The Forum has demanded for repeal of the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 and the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project and to restore the status quo of the lake and the fishers.