The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Narpuh circle has demanded for an independent inquiry after the Lukha river turned blue again.
With the advent of winter in Meghalaya, water of Lukha, the largest river in East Jaiñtia hills district has again started to turn deep blue. This phenomenon started way back in 2007.
The KSU led by its circle president K.S Suchiang met Deputy Commissioner, E. Kharmalki and raised the issue seeking for an independent inquiry. He said that the water quality of Lukha has turned from bad to worse this year.
Suchiang stated that people avoided using the river for any purpose since 2007. “We are puzzled why this river turns blue each year and people suspects that this is cause by effluents from the cement companies,” he added.
According to Suchiang, the student’s union in 2014 had made the same demand for an independent inquiry. “This time around if the government continues to remain adamant we will mover the National Green Tribunal,” he said.
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.
