The Ijei River water has turned dark and grey. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 14
The Ijei River near Noney has become highly contaminated owing to “direct discharge” from a construction site of a railway line, alleged Ijei River Development Board (IRDB) chairman Chamrei Kamei while speaking to media persons on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, a joint team comprising of activists, media persons and affected villagers conducted a “field inspection” at the railway construction site along the Ijei River in Noney – some 40 km west of Imphal.
Pointing out that the Ijei River is the main source of water for over 30 thousand people in Noney and about 10 surrounding villages, Kamei noted that the people were faced with “immense difficulties” as the water source had become polluted in the last three to four years. Fishes and other species in the river are dying due to the pollution while paddy fields in Noney, Tupul, Sibilong and Marangjing have also been badly affected, he added.
According to Kamei, the villagers have stopped using water from the Ijei River as the water is highly contaminated. “Many villagers are now suffering from skin diseases suspected to be due to the use of Ijei River water,” he informed.
Villagers, Kamei added, have already made several complaints to the railway authority in this regard “but to no avail”.
In this connection, the chairman of the river board, while welcoming developmental projects, asserted that the people “will oppose any kind of destruction of environment.”
