Thoubal river issue surfaces again
Vehicles stopped, passengers made to walk Thoubal bridge, sand, stones unloaded
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, December 27 2018:
Thoubal river movement has surfaced again exposing the authorities concerned and Government's lack of proper mechanism to curb man-made pollution in the river.
Calling on the people and Government for collective efforts in mitigating pollution and saving the river ecosystem to sustain and meet the demands of water for lakhs on the banks of the river, a mass public meeting was held at YASTA Ground, Thoubal Thongkhong today.
Following the meeting at Thoubal Thongkhong organised by Thoubal River Conservation Committee, volunteers and locals of the area thronged the NH-102 and stopped the passenger vehicles at Thoubal bridge and disembarked the passengers.
The volunteers made the passengers walk the bridge and witness the polluted water that has plagued the river.
Vehicles carrying sand, stones and other river resources were stopped and forced to unload their loads at YASTA ground.
The meeting at YASTA unanimously resolved to file a PIL and submit memorandum to Union Minister concerned.
The Thoubal River Conservation Committee said that it will be launching stringent agitation unless the State Government takes up necessary steps.
It will not allow unregulated river sand mining and is boycotting all vehicles involved in the activity, said the committee and cautioned that the responsibility of damage to any of the vehicles involved will be borne by the owner.
Stating that confrontation and commotion may arise between the river sand mining community and the locals who depend on the river for water, the committee urged the State Government to step in and solve the issue amicably before any such commotion arises.
It may be mentioned that the river committee and locals have been demanding proper mechanism to curb man-made pollution in the river since the past many months.
Thoubal river runs through Andro, Wangkhem, Thoubal and Wabagai.