Rally against killing of Sangai

BISHNUPUR, March 15: A massive rally was taken out at Bishnupur today in protest against the killing of a female Sangai from the Keibul Lamjao National Park. A memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister to take up stringent steps to check poaching of the endangered Sangai. The silent rally participated by the people of Keibul Lamjao and employees of the Keibul Lamjao National Park was flagged off by the Deputy Conservator of Forest MS Chabbra today at noon. The rally was jointly organised by the Forest Department and Environmental Social Reformation and Sangai Protection Forum. The rallyists carried the carcass of the Sangai and were attired in whites. Black flags and black badges were also worn by the participants. The rally passed through Keibul Sargam, Thanga, Sendra, Moirang, Khordak, Nongmaikhong, Laphupat Tera, Sekmaijin and later proceeded towards Imphal to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister. The memorandum urged the Chief minister to take up concrete steps to save the Sangai from extinction and ensure its survival. The memorandum pointed out that ever since the commissioning of the Loktak Hydro Project the natural habits of Sangai have been disturbed to a great extent. The rally was taken out today following the detection of the killing of a female Sangai on March 8. The killed Sangai was found by members of SESCO while some poachers were in the process of skinning the animal at Khuningthek near Khordak river within the periphery of the Park. Post mortem was conducted on the Sangai on March 10. The dead animal bore a bullet like injury mark on the body.