Residents urge to stop sand mining, hills excavation
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, April 19 2024:
The residents of Sikhong and Nongpok Sekmai have urged all concerned to stop sand mining from the Ingourok river bed in Thoubal district using heavy vehicles with immediate effect.
The residents took the above resolution during a public meeting held at Sikhong Bazar yesterday wherein a new body named 'North Eastern Environmental Protection Committee' was also formed to check such harmful activities posing serious threat to the ecological system.
The residents also urged all to stop excavation works in the hills of the surrounding regions as well.
It may be noted that a number of resolutions were taken during the public meeting to safeguard the natural resources and maintain the ecological balance.
The public meeting was followed by Committee member Asem Tampakleima reading out the key resolutions of the meeting.
The resolutions include -stoppage of sand mining from Ingourok river bed and excavation of hills of the surrounding regions with immediate effect and all the vehicles and machinery used in the aforementioned activities should be removed from the river site by 12 noon of April 21, 2024 (Sunday) .
Furthermore, the committee cautioned that the individuals concerned should accept the people's mandate if they are found indulging in sand mining and hill excavation activities.
In view of the alleged threat by some outfits upon the residents of the region not to be involved in this noble movement, the attendees appealed to all concerned to clarify the reasons for the same publicly within two days.
The attendees of the public meeting used placards which read 'Stop threatening innocent people', 'Let's safeguard the natural ecosystem', 'Save River, Save Hills', 'Water is life', etc were used.