The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Narpuh Circle has demanded immediate setting up of a police outpost to check illegal extraction of boulders by people allegedly from Assam in Malidor River.
A complaint was also lodged at the Umkiang Police Patrol Post with a copy to the Ranger Forest Officer Umkiang Range, Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial) Jowai, West Jaiñtia Hills and the Forest & Environment Department.
The KSU Narpuh circle led by its president, KS Suchiang met East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner, E. Kharmalki with the demand stating that this act is causing ecological imbalance in the river. They also alleged that this was a bid of Assam to grab land.
Suchiang also stated that Assam’s bid to encroach into Meghalaya was also through construction of a road in the area, which was foiled by the villagers of Ratacherra yesterday.
“The Meghalaya government has to act and we want a police outpost be set up in the area to stop encroachment,” Suchiang said.
Meanwhile, the circle during its meeting with the Deputy Commissioner also reminded him of its earlier demand to institute an independent inquiry after the Lukha river turned blue again.
The KSU said since the DC has not received a report from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board they will take raise the issue with the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Ever since 2007, the water has turned blue at regular intervals while several fishes also perished. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board had carried out a detailed scientific study after the first incident was reported in February that year. The report had cited “unscientific coal mining” as the reason behind the death of fishes.
