Locals denounce proposed plan of diverting natural course of Arong River
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, May 17 2024:
Locals have strongly denounced the proposed plan of digging and diverting the course of Arong River inside the Charangpat High School complex by distorting its natural course.
Considering the possible adverse impacts it will have on the lives of the people in the surrounding areas, the local clubs and meira paibis and the residents sought the attention of the Chief Minister into this grave concern.
It may be noted that the Arong River flows at the northern side of Charangpat High School in Wangkhem Assembly Constituency in Thoubal district.
Speaking at the public meeting held today in connection with the above matter at Charangpat High School today, Sorokhaibam Joy, School Development Committee secretary asserted that the existing natural course of the river has not posed any form of inconvenience to the residents of Charangpat.
He highlighted that diverting the natural course of the river will have prolonged impacts in the natural ecosystem thereby causing immense inconveniences to the lives of the people residing in the region.
Expressing serious concern on the reports that the local MLA along with few youths of the locality are planning to divert the natural course of Arong river, Joy questioned whether there is any concrete plan from the Government side regarding the river diversion.
Joy went on to inform that complaints have been raised earlier against the digging of Arong river by Charangpat High School Development Committee and local clubs.
In this regard, written complaints have been sent to the Chief Minister, Deputy Commissioner Thoubal, Water Resources Department and Thoubal Police Station.
Subsequently, a team led by DC Thoubal inspected the condition of Arong river, he added.
He opined that rejuvenating the river would be a better option rather than distorting its natural form.
Considering the wishes of the locals of the region, Joy urged the Chief Minister to look into this matter and address it accordingly.