MHRC inspects heavy fuel power plant
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2024: A team of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) ins-pected the Heavy Fuel Power Plant at Leimakhong where heavy fuel was found leaking on January 10 .

The fuel spilled into several streams and rivers.

It may be noted that on Wednesday, the MHRC registered a suo-moto case in connection with the Leima-khong oil spill incident.

While issuing the notice to the Chief Secretary and and Director General of Police, a bench of MHRC comprising Justice UB Saha, Chairperson and member KK Singh observed that the matter is related with the safety and security of a large number of human lives and their rights.

"We want to know who has been given the authority by the Chief Minister to ensure the safety of the lives of people and the steps taken up so far," asked MHRC in its notice to the Government.

On January 19, responding to the notice, the Additional Secretary (Power), Government of Manipur informed the MHRC that a team led by Additional Chief Engineer visited the affected site at Kanto Sabal on the night of the oil leakage itself.

It was further informed that the course of the contaminated stream was diver- ted to a nearby paddy field to prevent further contamination of water downstream while samples collected have been sent for testing.

Today, the MHRC Chairperson accompanied by KK Singh, IGP Mamata Wa-hengbam and Law Officer W Basantakumar inspected Khanglapokpi paddy field where leaked fuel was diverted along with a media team.

The MHRC team also interacted with officials of the Power Department and Water Resources Department who were present at the spot.

Ashok P, a team leader from Oil Spill Combat Team, Mumbai who took charge of cleaning the black furnace told the MHRC they are waiting for arrival of machines and other materials to speed up the cleaning process.

On enquiring about the possible soil erosion, he said that soil testing can be done before the next plantation.

The MHRC Chairperson, during the inspection, found that one of the pipes affixed to the power plant was cut off.

While interacting with the officials, it was informed that the damage to the power plant could have been done from outside and it could not be accidental.

Members of the Kuki community who were present during the inspection also said that they are trying to find out who the culprits are.

During the inspection, womenfolk of Khurkhul village informed the media persons that the villagers are facing acute water scarcity.

They also informed that the supply of water from Kanto Sabal Water Supply Plant has stopped since May last year.

The villagers of Khrukhul continued that they could not go to paddy field and Leimakhong Chingmang for collecting firewood anymore despite the place being their own due to frequent firings from nearby hills allegedly by Kuki militants.

It is reported that there are around 150 Meitei houses in Leimakhong, Ingourok Chingmang and Ex-Servicemen Colony, of which 70 houses have been torched.

One Jiban, a Ward Member, told the media team that two more houses including his own were burned down on January 18 .

Later in the day, MHRC team also visited the families of those killed in a firing incident that took place at Lilong Chingjao on January 1, 2024 where five people were killed.

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