By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Several villagers of Ranikor area in West Khasi Hills have been reportedly suffering from dysentery since Sunday after eating dead fishes of Kynshi and Rilang rivers.
The Government is yet to provide any assistance to the affected villagers.
“No Government official has visited the area to asses the situation and to ascertain the cause which has led to the death of the fishes along the two rivers. With so many people reportedly suffering from dysentery we fear breaking out of an epidemic,” Ranikor Seng Samla Shnong president James Thongni said here on Monday.
Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong ordered a probe to verify reports of the death of fishes at Ranikor river after reports of the same surfaced in a section of the press.
While stating that it is suspected that the death of the fishes was a result of the exploration of uranium ore by Kolkata-based company Maheshwari Mining private limited at Porkut area near Ranikor, Thongni said the Government should have taken immediate steps to ascertain “if the fishes are dying due to radiation from the uranium mining.”
Thongni informed that the villagers have buried the dead fishes.