Villagers decry
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, March 21 2024: Locals of Satun alias Somthar have expressed resentment against the Government over the water crisis besetting the Tangkhul villages in Kamjong district.

They said that there is no sign of governance reaching the village as getting even a bucket of water is extremely difficult to them.

Sotun village lies at the border of Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Thoubal.

Speaking to the media, ex-headman of Sotun, Thangmi Phunglui said that the locals of Satun don't get any benefit of the Government schemes other than MGNREGA.

It is the unavailability of potable water which worries the locals most, he said.

Stating that they have been using Ingourok River which originates from Chippi, Thangmi continued that the river, however, has become extremely muddy due to sand mining and stone quarrying using heavy machinery.

The water is unfit for household chores let alone consumption, he said and added that they, however, still use the water from the river by distilling them as they have no other source of water.

Ingourok River is also a source of water for the people of Ingourok, Nongpok Sekmai, Ukhongshang, Heitroipokpi etc, he added.

Saying that the people of Nongpok Sekmai and Ingourok have been urging the Government to prevent exploitation of the river and Sotun villagers support the demand, Thangmi added that it is the mining of sand and stones at multiple points which pollutes the river.

People who reside along the course of Ingourok River have been facing man-made calamity due to the work of some people who only think of making money without considering the fallout of their activity, he rued.

Stating that they have been facing both drought and inundation of paddy fields from time to time, Thangmi urged the State Government, Forest Department and the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change to note the trouble they have been going through and take up some initiatives to resolve the issue.

At one time people believed that drinking the water of the river would cure all kinds of ailments but people are reluctant to even touch the water these days, he said referring to how clean the river was once.

Pastor of Sotun village Yaruingam Siro and village secretary Simion Awungsi also attended the press briefing among others.

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