EMA condemns oil spillage, murder of villagers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 13 2024:
European Manipuri Association (EMA) has expressed deep concern over the environmental disaster caused by the spilling of heavy fuel into water streams that feed various drinking water plants.
The association condemned the act as environmental vandalism and threat to aquatic organisms and human lives while seeking immediate attention and swift action from the government authorities to address the crisis.
In a statement, EMA said that the spilled fuel directly endangers human lives as the contaminated water sources are integral to the drinking water supply in the valley.
Ingesting water polluted with heavy fuel can result in severe health consequences, from gastrointestinal issues to long-term hazards.
The association called for immediate and thorough clean-up operations to minimise the spread and impact of the spilled fuel in water streams.
It also called for implementing water quality monitoring measures to assess contamination and ensure safe drinking water; conducting health assessments for affected communities, providing necessary medical support and resources; and launching public awareness campaigns to educate the community about the dangers of water contamination and promote responsible environmental stewardship.
The association further called for legal actions against those responsible for the oil spillage, emphasising accountability so as to discourage such future acts of environmental degradation.
The Association, in another statement, expressed strong condemnation over the brutal killing of three innocent Meetei villagers, including a father and his son, who went to a nearby hill to collect firewood due to financial constraints preventing them from affording gas cylinders for cooking.
The association expressed disappointment and concern over the perceived inability of national and state governments to ensure the safety and security of innocent lives, especially given the reported presence of central paramilitary forces in the area.
EMA demanded urgent and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice, restore peace, and prevent further loss of life.
The ongoing armed conflict between the Meetei and Chin-Kuki communities raises questions about the effectiveness of government strategies despite the presence of reportedly over 80,000 central paramilitary forces in the state, the association said, while urging for a comprehensive assessment of the government's approach to bring an end to the continuous bloodshed.
European Manipuri Association also requested the government to provide immediate and comprehensive support to the grieving families of the deceased.
It also expressed solidarity towards the affected families, and urged for swift and effective actions to-bring an end to the devastating ethnic conflict.