Sabotage, says CM on oil spill
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2024:
Taking a grim note of the release of furnace oil to Makha Loukhong (stream), Chief Minister N Biren Singh has informed that a high level Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to figure out how the oil ended up flowing in the stream.
He also said that the heavy fuel power plant at Leimakhong will be guarded by the State force.
The Chief Minister shared the information on his Facebook post which starts with a message for the people to stay alert.
N Biren Singh said "Mee Fattabasingdagi Cheksinsi" in the opening line of his post.
Saying that he came to know of the thick oil flowing in the stream at Kanto Sabal at around 8.45 pm when he was having a conversation with Moirang AC MLA Shanti, the Chief Minister continued that the Makha Loukhong flows into larger rivers Sekmai River and Nambul River.
N Biren maintained that he contacted the SPs of Kangpokpi and Imphal West soon after he was informed of the incident.
Saying that he also contacted Officer in charge of Leimakkhong police and Sekmai AC MLA H Dingo as his apprehension grew larger of major tragedy, the Chief Minister said that he advised the local Pradhan called Shanta to divert the course of Makha Loukhong to a paddy field before it merges with the river.
The flow of the stream was diverted with the help of Sekmai police and the local Pradhan who hired a JCB, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that Ministers H Dingo, L Susindro and Th Biswajit also rushed to Kanto Sabal to take up immediate measures and avoid human tragedy.
A sample of the water has been examined by the experts, N Biren said and added that the experts are conducting more tests of the water.
Firefighters have also started separating oil from the water body with the help of the locals, he said and added that a bigger tragedy, fortunately, has been prevented by the grace of God.
The Chief Minister stated that the furnace oil was released deliberately as his post succinctly says 'a scheme of immoral people to contaminate Imphal River and Nambul River which merges with Loktak Lake has been foiled by the grace of God' .
N Biren asked the people to stay alert before concluding his post by informing that a high level SIT has been constituted to probe the matter.
The investigation team is led by ADGP Ashutosh Sinha as Chairman.
The other members of the team include Shailesh Kumar Chourasia, Commissioner (Power), Government of Manipur and M Pradip Singh, Addl Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur.
An FIR has been registered and the area is being sealed completely by deputing adequate security forces, said the Government.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health Engineering is working in close coordination with the technical teams from IIT Guwahati, Manipur University, NIT Manipur to assess any contamination to the water from the streams.
Preliminary reports of PHED have indicated that there is no damage to the potable water supply system, and the water quality is safe, said the Government.
Additional water samples are being collected for detailed assessment by IIT Guwahati.
More experts from IIT Guwahati are visiting Imphal.
In order to ensure supply of potable water to the residents of Leimakhong area, as an interim measure, the PHED has started providing potable water by diversifying the source by boring tubewells, water supply through tankers etc.
A committee is being constituted by the Public Health Engineering Department to monitor and ensure that potable water is available for consumption as well as for domestic use of the public.
Officials of the Departments of Agriculture, Environment & Climate Change, Water Resources, Power, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Fisheries are working in close coordination with the PHED.
Full measures to provide safe drinking water to the public and contain any contamination to the streams around Leimakhong area, are being taken up.
General public is requested to not use raw water from the stream from Leimakhong to Lamdeng until the water is declared safe for consumption, said the Government.
The Government also appealed to members of the public to report immediately any signs of aquatic life and animals being affected in the areas concerned.
The PHED has temporarily closed the water supply schemes located near the streams.
People in the affected areas may call Helpline numbers 8794006422 and 7085922914 to avail facilities of tankers for potable water free of cost, said the Government.
Comment
