Thoubal River movement : Govt has intentionally closed its eyes and ears, says Thoubal River Conservation Committee
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, May 10 2018: Accusing the Government of not making any sound policy and step to clean Thoubal river, which has been running muddy since the last two years, the Thoubal River Conservation Committee today held a public convention to map out an action plan for preservation and restoration of the river to its natural state.

Several resolutions drawn at the convention were submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Haobam Rosita.

It may be noted that the Thoubal River Conservation Committee has been spearheading the people's movement demanding closure of the sand mining in the river, which the committee has identified as the main reason for the muddy water and pollution in the river.

Bandhs were called disrupting normal activities in the area.

Human chains were formed by students community of the area demanding regulations from the Government to check the pollution in the river.

The movement had reached its peak during April 13 to April 17 and was later called off after assurance was given by the Government for necessary actions to conserve the river.

Hardly two months after, the movement has surfaced again showing lack of proper and permanent policy from the Government.

Speakers, social workers/activists at the public convention held at Thoubal Mela Ground today condemned the Government for its failure to deliver what was promised to the people of Thoubal.

Since the BJP led Government came to power in the State, many new schemes- Go to Hills and Go to Village etc have been launched claiming to bridge hills-valley gaps in development sector and bring overall development in the State.

The CM is known for his initiative- Meeyamgi Numit but the Government has utterly failed to hear the plights of the people of Thoubal, said the speakers at the convention.

"The Government is ignoring the movement.

It is intentionally closing its eyes and ears to the people of Thoubal," asserted the committee.

Heavy machinery employed in the river for sand mining is polluting and turning the river water unusable, said the committee while calling on the Govt and authorities concerned to ban sand mining and use of heavy machinery in the river.

Identifying the river sand mining as a major threat to the health of the river as well as the people who depends on the river, the convention demanded the Government and authorities concerned to roll back and cancel the river sand mining permits given to concerned individuals and authority.

Further concentrating its stand on the river issue, the convention demanded the Government to form a 'District Environmental Impact Authority' which will look after the river systems in the districts (Ukhrul, Thoubal, Imphal East) where Thoubal River flows.

The committee has also appealed the people to maintain the river and keep it clean.

After the convention, the large crowd marched towards the DCs office complex to submit a memorandum which contains the various demands and appeals of the people and the committee.

Police personnel who were controlling the crowd allowed six representatives to meet the DC and to submit the memorandum.

Students associations, AMSU, DESAM, MSF, Meira Paibi Lups and many other civil society organisation took part in the convention.

Chairman of the Thoubal River Conservation Committee AK Bishworjit, chief advisory of Khekman Library and Umang Lai Wangbren Ireima Lai Committee's Shelungba Thongam Maimu, secretary of the Keithel Mathak-Makha Potpham Phambi Lup Thoubal Hodam Budhipati, Thoubal Keithel Phambi Lup president AK Sundari Devi, Khekman Apunba Nupi Lup secretary Asem Bino Devi, member of People Welfare Organisation Thoubal Wangmataba Mayai Leikai Akoijam Deven Singh and president of Healthcare Centre Wangkhem Sorokhaibam Kunjeshwar attended the event as dignitaries.

Comment