Locals clash over dirtying community pond
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 24 2021:
Chaos erupted between locals of Khurai and Wangkhei assembly constituencies under Porompat PS on Sunday, resulting in numerous injuries.
According to a police report, a cleanliness drive was carried out along the road leading to the TV Tower in Khurai Thangjam Leirak under MGNREGA in the presence of Khurai AC MLA L Susindro on Sunday morning.
As part of the drive, a portion of the local pond located on the southern side of NESU ground was ploughed using an excavator to drain in the water puddle from the road onto the pond.
On seeing the process, a person residing along the Lamlong-Porompat road falling under Wangkhei constituency raised objection.
However, based on claims that the said person was assaulted for objecting, the respective denizens of Khurai and Wangkhei ACs got into a stand-off.
The situation worsened and stones were pelted.
As the stone pelting got worse, escort personnel of the MLA fired several rounds, thereby resulting in numerous injuries.
On hearing news of the incident, Imphal East District police teams rushed to the scene and brought the agitated crowds under control.
Porompat PS also deployed a team to prevent any further incidents.
Speaking with regard to the incident, one Nongthombam Binodkumar explained that many families used the pond water in question for cooking and other household purposes.
So, draining the dirty water from the road into the pond, especially during the dry season, is going to affect the lives of the people who are dependent on the pond.
On top of this, the pond is under the jurisdiction of Wangkhei AC, not Khurai AC, he added.
Meanwhile, Khurai AC MLA L Susindro said that the road mentioned is under the jurisdiction of Khurai AC and is used by people of the constituency and Kshetrigao.
However, the people residing along the road falling under Wangkhei AC have been habitually dumping garbage, thereby causing a lot of inconveniences.
Although the garbage along the road has been cleaned numerous times by the people of Khurai AC, the cycle is repeated again and again.
However, the incident on Sunday occurred after some people came forward and objected to the cleanliness drive, he conveyed.