Water-borne diseases stalk Lamphel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2011: Following the report by The Sangai Express of the presence of Escherichia Coli in the water of Lamphel, many people living in and around Lamphelpat have been infected by several water borne diseases.

At the request of The Sangai Express, Manipur Pollution Control Board conducted water test in Lamphelpat and the water was found highly contaminated.

Secretary (administration) of the All Community Welfare Association with Surrounding Areas, S Tombisana said that even after presence of the E-Coli bacterium was confirmed by MPCB and subsequently reported by The Sangai Express with a warning to stop using the water of Lamphel, several water borne diseases have broken out in the area due to sheer negligence on the part of the Government.

Lamphel is a source of livelihood for many impoverished people of Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Langol.

A number of these people have made Lamphel their homes, Tombisana said.

Even after the highly contaminated state of Lamphel water was confirmed, the Government did not take up any safety or precautionary measures.

This has led to extensive infection of the skin to farmers engaged in pisciculture in Lamphel.

Many people, irrespective of age, are also suffering diarrhoea, dysentery and fever.

Further National Games Village Government quarters and the surrounding areas are swarmed by mosquitoes and flies posing serious health hazards and nuisance.

An abominable stench is also circulating in the area.

Children are advised to have their meals inside bed nets, Tombisana conveyed.

Dumping of tonnes of waste material every day has also polluted the surrounding area of Kombirei road to an alarming level.

He demanded that the dumping site should be treated germ killing chemicals immediately before covering the whole site with earth and also to stop using KRYPSA ground as dumping site.

He further asked the Govt to organise a mega free medical camp in Lamphel area without any delay.

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