Probe oil spill : CRAM, YFPHR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2024: The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) and the Youth's Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) have urged the Government to conduct an investigation into the discharge of heavy fuel from Leimakhong heavy fuel power plant into Khanglapokpi Khong or Makha Loukhong.

While CRAM pointed out that deposition of oil sludge and toxic chemicals can cause long-standing health impacts, YFPHR claimed that the water body was used as a weapon of conflict.

YFPHR, in a statement, said that the act of blocking water and polluting water bodies and using it as a weapon of conflict needs serious attention from the side of the Ministry of the Home Affairs and to withdraw the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the Kuki militants immediately.

The Forum also said that a strong investigation is needed to ascertain how the oil spilled into the stream.

While appealing to the Water Resources Department to find an alternative source of water for the people and restore the water crisis at the earliest, the Forum demanded that an investigation must be carried out against the Army personnel posted at Leimakhong too.

Stating that targeting water bodies amid the ongoing conflict is deeply concerning, YFPHR claimed that the water sources have been targeted by the Kuki militants in the past too.

The Forum water pipelines from Lophal village which used to supply water to people at Thamnapokpi, Naransena, Phubala etc were destroyed by the Kuki militants at S Phainom Village in the past.

Claiming that Makha Loukhong was contaminated deliberately, the Forum contended that other water pipelines which fall under the jurisdiction of Leimakhong Army camp have been destroyed by Kuki militants and as such there is no water supply in the area since the last eight months.

There is no effort from the State Government and the Army to restore the water pipelines, the Forum said.

Stating that the only stream in the area ie Makha Loukhong has also become polluted, the Forum maintained that contaminating water bodies deliberately violates international law and protocol such as the Geneva Convention.

This pollution of the water body is a threat to human settlement and needs stringent and immediate action by the Water Resources Department and other competent authorities.

CRAM, on the other hand, said that the massive discharge of the heavy fuel has led to the contamination of Khanglapokpi Khong or the Makha Khong stream with the potential to contaminate Nambul River.

Saying that Khanglapokpi Khong is the source of water and household needs for the locals of Kanto Sabal, Leimakhong, Khurkhul, Loitang Khunou etc in Imphal West, CRAM maintained that the discharge of the heavy fuel from Leimakhong power plant took place despite stringent security measures and the presence of a military base close to the power plant.

The direct discharge of the heavy fuel led to deposition of hazardous chemicals including dioxin, sulphur, nitrogen oxide and toxic sludge not only in the stream but also in the agriculture land in Khurkhul village where the water is diverted as temporary measures, it said and continued that the deposition of oil sludge and toxic chemicals can cause long-standing health impacts on children, women and general population, if adequate measures and precautions are not initiated.

The State Government should take up urgent measures to mitigate the environmental and social impact of the toxic heavy fuel discharged in the stream and in agricultural land in Kanto Sabal and Phumlou villages, it urged.

CRAM also said that the Government should conduct an investigation urgently to ascertain the causes and reasons of the discharge from the Leimakhong heavy fuel power plant and prosecute and punish all those involved for any sabotage of the plant and security lapses etc.

Further urging that the sources of livelihood, including land and water bodies should be protected at all cost, CRAM added that the Government of India should undertake all urgent measures to protect the right to life of the people.

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