Locals halt testing, demand shifting of MIE
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, September 15 2022:
Amid the conflict over establishment of plywood factories and sawmills of Minor Industrial Estate (MIE) at Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai, locals on Thursday halted officials of Manipur Pollution Control Board and Thoubal Forest Division, who tried to conduct 'Ambient Air Quality Monitoring' and 'Ambient Noise Monitoring' in the estate.
Subsequent to complaints put forth to forest department and pollution control board that the Minor Industrial Estates is causing air and noise pollution in the area, officials of Manipur Pollution Control Board and Thoubal Forest Division came to carry out the test.
However, the locals stopped the officials stating that there is no need to conduct the test and demanded relocation of the MIE to other areas.
Speaking to media persons, Thoubal Forest Division DFO Th Lokendro informed that Khoirom MIE, which was established in 2018, has been closed since September 8 by forest department after one Lourembam Tomba of the JAC registered a complaint stating that it caused noise pollution in the area.
The officials came to test the level of air and noise pollution after forest department wrote a letter to Director Pollution Control Board.
However, JAC team halted the officials stating that they don't need testing and a resolution has been taken demanding to shift the MIE from the area, he narrated.
Meanwhile, one Yumkhaibam Sangita said that the factories not only pollute the area but also do not give any benefit to the locals.
She demanded to shift the MIE in areas where some people want to keep it.