Manipur: Six fishermen nabbed for electrofishing at Loktak Lake

Imphal: A total of six fishermen were nabbed for their illegal use of the electric shock fishing or electrofishing method at Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in the northeastern states, the police said on Saturday.

Electrofishing is a common and effective way to capture fish where either AC or DC current is used to alter the behavior of fish or to stun or kill them.

They were nabbed along with several nocturnal fishing types of equipment including batteries, LED bulbs, electric wires, and fishing nets at the Ngatenpat area of the Lake at around 11 pm on Friday.

Acting on a tip, the volunteers of the two social organizations — All Thanga People’s Organisation and All Thanga Apunba Meira Paibis overpowered them.

The nabbed persons along with the seized items were later handed over to the Keibul Lamjao Police Station for further legal action.

Police said a case has been registered. The arrested persons are identified as Kshetrimayum Khomei, 55, Makakmayum Nawakhan, 20, Buyamayum Hephasuddin, 41, Makakmayum Saphina, 31, Makakmayum Ayasuddin, 29, all the residents of Komlakhong Ireima Maning Leirak village, a part of the Loktak Lake.

Arrests and seizure have come after the Chairman of Loktak Development Authority (LDA), Manipur issued a heartfelt plea to the public, particularly those residing in the vicinity of Loktak Lake, to refrain from using the electrofishing method.