Save Thoubal river movement begins : Sit in protest held at two locations
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, February 13 2018: The Thoubal River Conservation Committee, an apex body of more than 35 different organisations and clubs located at both sides of Thoubal river, namely Yairipok, Wangkhem, Phoudel, Kshetileikai, Haokha, Kiyam, Okram, Thoubal Circle etc, began its movement for clean Thoubal river today.

Two different sit in protest were organised at Thoubal Kshetrileikai and Wangkhem.

The committee was formed at Thoubal Wangmataba yesterday, in a bid to tackle the rapid pollution of Thoubal river and to bring the grave situation of the river to the attention of the authortities concerned.

KRC, SECDO, KWA, Meira Paibis along with locals staged a sin-in at Thoubal Kshetrileikai Keithel while Wangkhem Youth Club, Health Care Centre Wangkhem, Wangkhem Muslim Development Association and Ningol Yaipha Thourol Lup Wangkhem and local people staged another sit in protest at Wangkhem Keithel waithing shed.

The protesters stated that Thoubal river has been rapidly getting polluted and the locals are unable to utilize the river water for the last many years.

A large number of dead fish have also floated up on top of the river.

There is a greater probability that the grave situation of the river can cause several health hazards to the people residing on both sides of Thoubal river, they added.

They further stated that one of the probable reason of the river pollution could be the presence of sand quarries and stone quarries along the streams and along the banks of the river which use heavy machineries like JCBs, tractors and trucks etc.

The local clubs/organisations have been seeking the immediate attention of the State Government considering the health hazards and they even submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, Chairman Manipur Pollution Control Board, Secretary Water Resources and Minor Irrigation, Chairman District Environment Assessment Authority, Imphal West OC and Minister Forest and Environment recently, on February 5.The authorities concerned have turned a blind eye despite repeated appeals to take up necessary measures for improving the condition of the river.

Following the absence of a positive response and the ever increasing pollution of the river which in turn has caused numerous inconveniences to the locals, the organisations came together to seek a probable solution from the authorities concerned.

The committee, along with the local people, will continue to launch different forms of agitation at various areas of Thoubal if the plights and grievances of the people remain neglected.

Meanwhile, Khangabok AC MLA, Surjakumar Okram and Wangkhem AC MLA Keisam Meghachandra highlighted the issue of Thoubal river pollution during the zero hour of the current State Assembly session.

The organisations and locals lauded the MLAs for bringing up the issue during the Assembly session and urged the authority concerned to take prompt action in solving the matter at the earliest.

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