Imphal, November 24 2009: Setting December 10 as the deadline for ensuring water supply which has been deprived for more than 30 years now, local residents of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and some parts of Chingakham Leirak have decided to boycott the upcoming by-election to the Yaiskul Assembly Constituency if the demand is not met.

To raise the demand and exert pressure on the Government, a committee christened as Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and Some Portion of Chingakham Leikai Joint Action Development Committee has been formed.

Addressing a press conference in this regard at Yaiskul Chingkham Leirak today afternoon, vice president of the Committee Elangbam Rabei informed that the local residents of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and some portion of Chingakham Leirak have not been received water supply for more than 30 years now.

It was since the last part of 1972 that these localities have not been receiving any water supply.

As a consequence, the local residents have been going to either Manipur Dramatic Union or Sorokhaibam Leikai to fetch water daily, he informed.

He further informed that as there is no possibility for further development of the water supply scheme at Chinga hillock, a water reservoir has been constructed at Yaiskul and the same inaugurated and commissioned on November 3 last year.

Hoping that commissioning of the water reservoir would solve their problem, every households in Yaiskul area have even contributed Rs 100 each.

But the benefit has not been extended to the residents of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and some parts of Chingakham Leirak nor the Government has taken up any measures to ensuring water supply to these people, he lamented.

Many MLAs and even a Chief Minister have come and gone from Yaiskul Assembly Constituency and from time to time MLAs and Ministers have given assurance on providing water supply.

But the assurances have not been translated into action, he rued.

Demanding the Department concerned to send its officials for collecting a detailed report on deprivation of water supply to the local residents of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leirak and some parts of Chingkham Leirak within December 10, the Committee has warned of boycotting the by-election to the Yaiskul Assembly Constituency on December 19 if the demand is not considered.

The Committee has also informed that it would petition the Manipur Human Rights Commission for justice in this regard.

Comment