MIE scandal : Locals of Yairipok oppose move to measure pollution level
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, September 15 2022: A pre-planned endeavour of the Government to carry out a programme of "Ambient Air Quality Monitoring" and "Ambient Noise Monitoring" at Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai has failed as a heated argument broke out between the locals and officials of Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Thoubal Forest Division while the latter tried to carry out the programme at Minor Industrial Estate (MIE) at Yairipok in Thoubal district, today.

Notably, the locals of Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai have been urging the State Government to close the plywood factory and sawmill of the Minor Industrial Estate at Yairipok or shift it to another location as they claim that many people of the locality have fallen sick while the students couldn't study due to the pollution emitted by the factory.

The JAC against the establishing of the Khoirom MIE in a residential area has been spearheading the demand to close or shift the plywood factory and sawmill since September 4 .

Speaking to media persons in this regard, Thoubal DFO Th Lokendro said that the Khoirom MIE was established in 2018 .

Saying that the Forest Department has given a direction to close the Khoirom MIE on September 8 after the JAC lodged a complaint, the DFO continued that the Forest Department, however, could not initiate any step as some section of people of the locality want the MIE to continue operating.

He further stated that they went to Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai to measure the level of noise and air pollution emitted by MIE after sending a letter to the Director of MPCB.

The test, however, couldn't be conducted as the JAC opposed it, Th Lokendro added.

As per the locals of Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai, there are two plywood factories and several sawmills at Khoirom MIE and work is underway to construct five more plywood factories of the estate and they asked whether the MIE was set up after taking due consent from the people.

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