Thangmeiband tense over 'water world'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 30 2012: A tense situation has gripped Thangmeiband as different localities have been enraged over distribution and supply of potable water.

Three separate protest demonstrations were staged today at Thangmeiband Thingel Maru over different reasons and demands.

Members of the Apunba Naharol Yaipha Thoushil Kanglup (ANYTK) and local Meira Paibis staged a protest demonstration at the local club ground in denunciation of local MLA Kh Joykishan's conduct.

According to treasurer of the local club Hodam Dorykanta, a public hydrant was installed on the bank of Thingel Maru community pond by connecting a pipe-line to the main water supply line at Lalambung-Takhellambam Leikai crossing.

This arrangement was made by collecting Rs 200 from each household of the seven adjoining localities of Thingel Maru.

But MLA Joykishan and some PHED officials tried to block the pipe-line which was connected to the public hydrant yesterday.

At this, Dorykanta appealed to the local MLA not to disrupt the water supply arrangement.

Cops trying to calm frayed nerves

However, the MLA ordered his security escorts and they manhandled and shooed away the local treasurer.

Dorykanta said that he appealed to the MLA as due process was being made to make the connection legal in addition to the fact that the public hydrant was serving around 7/8 localities.

"But MLA Joykishan responded by bullying me", Dorykanta said.

He said that the protest demonstration was being staged in denunciation of the MLA's unbecoming and unruly behaviour.

Former secretary of the Thangmeiband Apunba Nupi Lup (THANIL) Soubam Ibetombi said that similar protest demonstrations would be continued in different areas of Thangmeiband for three consecutive days.

Another sit-in-protest was staged under the aegis of Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation (TAKDO) at Khumukcham (O) Leonlee Devi Memorial Community Hall which is located close to the premises of ANYTK.

Interestingly, the second protest demonstration was in opposition to the alleged false allegations levelled against MLA Joykishan.

TAKDO women wing vice-president Meisnam Jamuna said that the practice of connecting to the main pipe-line in unauthorised manner which also led to wastage of water was observed by the local MLA during an inspection tour on March 28 .

In order to repair all the technical flaws and ensure proper supply of potable water to all the people, Joykishan, together with PHED officials, went to disconnect the unauthorised connection yesterday.

But the MLA was prevented from disconnecting the unauthorised pipe-line by local club volunteers and Meira Paibis.

In the meantime, a group of women who were protesting at the community hall went to Lalambung-Takhellambam Leikai crossing past the ANYTK premises.

There, they noticed another protest demonstration demanding that the pipe-line leading to the Thingel Maru public hydrant should not be disconnected.

The two groups who were mainly comprised of women came to a stand-off resulting in a scuffle.

Later, lady cops of Imphal police station brought the situation under control.

Nevertheless, the unauthorised pipe-line has been disconnected at the instruction of the MLA and officials of the department.

MLA Joykishan said that he, together with some PHED officials, went on an inspection tour on March 28 to ensure proper supply of potable water within his Assembly constituency.

In accordance to observations given by PHED officials that proper supply of potable water could not be maintained due to unauthorised connections, leakages in pipe-lines near Cheiraoching foothills and use of soft polythene pipes for domestic lines, efforts were being made to redress all these flaws and problems within three months, Joykishan said.

When some PHED officials went to disconnect unauthorised pipe-lines yesterday afternoon, the officials were forbidden from doing their duty by some people.

"As a local MLA, I went to the spot to mediate but I was accused of physically assaulting people.

The fact is, I only ordered by my security escorts to pacify the mob as they became infuriated and could not listen to each other", claimed the MLA.

Moreover, the main pipe-line to which the unauthorised connection was made was a reserved line which was feeding water to reservoirs.

MLA Khumukcham Joykishan stated that he would face through the channel of law whatever controversies or disagreements arising out of the matter.