Shillong, Aug 17: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, inspected a site in the Polo area on Monday after a video showing two non-local men allegedly washing utensils in the Umkhrah River went viral on social media.
The incident has raised concerns over hygiene and further contamination of the already severely polluted river.
Circle president Banjoplang Dkhar said the two men were not present when KSU members visited, but claimed they later surrendered to police. He described the site as “disgusting and alarming” and said such acts could not be tolerated amid ongoing efforts to protect and restore rivers.
The KSU, accompanied by food safety officials, police and others, also found the area in an unhygienic condition with waste scattered around the shops. The team further recovered liquor from the spot, after which Excise Department officials took possession of it for further action.
The union said pollution of rivers poses risks to public health, the environment and downstream communities. It appealed to residents, vendors and businesses near rivers to refrain from dumping waste or washing items in water bodies.
The KSU also demanded police take legal action against the two individuals and said it would monitor the case to ensure accountability.
