'Children may turn revolutionaries in Loktak area'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 26 2011: Fishermen of Loktak Lake have produced IAS and high ranking officers.

Their families supported them by making a livelihood from fishing in the lake.

If such families are denied of fishing in the lake under the Loktak Protection Act, many children could be forced to join UG outfits, lamented Ningthoujam Thasana of Thanga Oinam Leikai in a public meeting held at Khuman Pokpa Community Hall, Karang today.

Thasana said that fishermen in Loktak will find it difficult to survive by adopting other occupations.

If they are denied of their occupation, it is difficult to imagine how they could provide education to their children.

Another woman, Heisnam Ashangbi of Thanga Heisnam Leikai alleged that the present deteriorated condition of the lake is not the result of fishermen's acts but that it has been caused by the construction of the Ithai barrage.

The government instead of solving the problems created by the barrage is bent on snatching the livelihood of the fishermen in the lake, she alleged.

She further said that even though CM, O Ibobi claimed that the government does not restrict fishing in lake, the Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006 clearly mentions that fishing in the lake using fishing nets is not permitted.

She asked the CM to suggest of a way of fishing in the lake without using fishing nets.

Advisor, Loktak Fishing Workers' Association P Kumarjit said that Phumdi is a major component of the identity of the lake.

Fishermen who spend nights on the Phumdi would actually prefer to spend their nights in a cosy bedroom.

They spend miserable nights just to sustain their lives.

He alleged that the Act does not give any alternate ways of earning to the fishermen.

Ningthoujam Ibomcha of Karang said that the deterioration of Loktak lake started with the construction of the Loktak Project.

The Ithai barrage is also one of the major contributors to the present deteriorated condition of the lake.

There was an instance when the lake was about only 5 metres deep.

However since the Ithai barrage stopped functioning, the depth of the lake increased to 15 to 20 metres.

Water hyacinth had been deposited at an alarming rate in the lake shore when the barrage was active, he said.

The meeting was organised by five civil organisations based around the Loktak Lake.

The meeting formed a joint committee against the Loktak Protection Act and elected Ningthoujam Chaoba as its president.

They also resolved to stand against the government's decision to acquire land for expansion of Keibul Lamjao National Park.

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