A dead cow was found in the Umran River, one of the sources of drinking water for Nongpoh town.
The Public Health Engineering Department draws on the river to supply various parts of the Ri-Bhoi district headquarters with piped water.
Residents of Nongthymmai village found the carcass of the animal in the water reservoir and informed two local pressure groups. Without waiting for the authorities, the locals and pressure group members removed the animal from the river and buried it.
The two groups suspect that the carcass was dumped intentionally by one or more individuals who had scant regard for locals’ health. They have requested the authorities to test the water being supplied to residents of Nongpoh to ascertain whether it is still safe to drink.
