Meet opposes realignment of Arong River in Charangpat
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, May 17 2024: A public meeting was organised by Charangpat High School Development Committee (CHSDC), along with local clubs and Meira Paibi groups at the Charangpat High School ground on Friday, and opposed the proposed plan to realign the course of Arong River through the school campus.

The participants appealed to chief minister N Biren to reconsider the plan, and called for status quo on the river's natural course to avoid impact on the school campus.

During the meeting, CHSDC secretary Sorokhaibam Joy highlighted the significance of Arong River, which originates less than one kilometre from the village and provides irrigation water to Selom Loukol.

Joy emphasised that altering the river s course would have serious adverse effects in the area while pointing out that the current course does not negatively impact the community.

Joy cited unconfirmed reports that the local MLA plans to straighten the river s course by redirecting it through the school campus.

He questioned the logic behind such a move and expressed concerns that it might be an attempt to utilise the MLA's local area development fund without considering the repercussions of such a move from the community.

Charangpat High School, established in 1960, also has a 472-foot pond dug with the support of the then MLA Sorokhaibam Chourajst.

The plot is registered in the school's name with the approval of 11 local elders.

According to local elders born before 1900, there is no record of the river running through the school.

Joy also pointed out that the river often overflows during the monsoon season and diverting the water through mini culverts, as planned by the MLA, is impractical.

CHSDC and local clubs have previously submitted written objections to the Chief Minister, the DC Thoubal, the water resources department, and the Thoubal police station against the move to realign the course of Arong River through the school campus.

Following these objections, DC Thoubal conducted a held visit and suggested repairing the riverbank as a viable alternative.

Water resources department officials also conducted an assessment and confirmed that there is no work order to realign the river course.

They indicated that water for supply could be sourced from any part of the river.

Joy urged the Chief Minister to look into the matter and reconsider the proposed realignment, highlighting the community's strong opposition and the potential negative impact on the school and surrounding area.

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