Khooid Ya ka Wah Myntdu, a group working for clean rivers in West Jaintia Hills, accompanied by locals have sought action against the Dhar Construction Company for polluting the Myntdu river.
A two-hour protest was staged in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office today to express their resentment over pollution caused by the company by dumping of debris into the river.
Roadwork, specifically to construct the Jowai Bypass, is ruining the Myntdu River, which is a major source of water for Jowai.
President of the group, Khroo L Pariat said that the company has but lives of the people in danger.
Blaming the pollution of the river caused by the company, he said that this is the third project undertaken by it along the stretch of Myntdu since 2006.
Pointing out that water is a basic human right Pariat said, this has been denied to the residents of Jowai simply because businessmen want to earn profit through the mineral water factories.
“Pollution of water is a crime against humanity. Will the Chairman of Meghalaya Human Rights Commission or the Chief Justice High Court Meghalaya, kindly take suo moto cognizance against this pollution of the Myntdu River?” he questioned.
Pollution of the Myntdu has been reported constantly despite the ban in place under section 144 CrPC imposed by the district magistrate.
Following a recent complaint from the group, the order was renewed wherein construction of the Jowai Bypass was stopped. The Public Works Department (PWD) and the Dhar Construction Company were directed to adopt measures to stop the flow of debris into the river and take action to restore the quality of water.
