IMPHAL, February 24: Following the eviction drive at Loktak Lake by the Loktak Development Authority on February 23, 2013, a fact finding mission team led by Dr Debabrata Roy, Convenor of Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) visited the lake and interacted with the affected families of the eviction.
Addressing media persons in a press meet at the office of Human Rights Alert, Dr Roy said the team went for a fact finding mission at Yangoi Maril/Loktak Langon Sabi at Loktak Lake today and noticed that two huts built on ‘phumdis’ were completely destroyed.
The team was moved by the tears of the affected families, he said.
He continued that the team met about 53 persons and talked about the eviction.
In spite of the injunction by Gauhati High Court, team comprising of LDA official, police personnel destroyed the huts using knife without prior notice provided, Dr Roy added.
He asked, “Under what jurisdiction the police attack the huts with knife?” It has been reported that women protested in front of the huts during the eviction and police blank fired to control them.
LDA has notified that no person is allowed to enter the core zone however it do not provide the public with clear demarcation of the zone.
Fishing is allowed however fishing equipment is banned, then how we should fish, Dr Roy asked.
He then said, during the meeting the people raised objection to LDA management terming it as anti-people and anti-environment.
One Haobijam Bino has filed an FIR with SP Bishnupur regarding the eviction, and All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union will file a contempt of court with Guahati High Court tomorrow, he said.
The government of Manipur must respect High Court order, however violation of it is a contempt of court, he added.