Fatherland Patriots Memorial Club, representing the locals of Khongjom village, on Wednesday urged the concerned authorities for immediate action against four brick fields, which are at zero-kilometre distance from the Khongjom water supply.
During a press meet at the Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, Fatherland Patriots Memorial Club secretary Olen Sapam said that due to four brick fields in a radius of 200 meters from the water supply scheme of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which is under the flagship programme of the Union government, their water supply is getting polluted.
The water supply is a 40-year-old project and the hill, where the water supply is located, is also a state land as per the record of Manipur Land Revenue and Reforms Act, 1960.
However, it is unfortunate that the very hill is enclosed by the people and houses have been constructed at the foot hill by cutting the hubs and trees and people have been cutting the hill and taking away the earth, which will lead to soil erosion and plunging of the constructed water supply tanks, Olen said
“The harmful smokes, grey and black thick gases coming out from the factory are falling down on the water reservoir polluting water and the surrounding atmosphere, which ultimately leads to loss of a healthy life and healthy environment,” Olen said.
He informed that a person from Tentha Khongbal, Thoubal district, identified as Moirangthem Hemanta has applied to the forest department, government of Manipur for declaration of Minor Industrial Estate for functioning M/S Lanshinga Daimei Saw Mill at Khongjom. But the proposed mill is located in zero distance from the water supply reservoir and combined with the brickfields, it will only add more to the pollution of the water supply, he said.
He also charged that the factories and mill have been set up on the agricultural land, thereby violating Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014.
Therefore, representing locals, the club urged the concerned authorities to take up immediate action to stop the industries in order to avoid the unwanted courses which they should hope for the protection of the future.
