Inspection of Umiam River
NONGPOH: Taken aback by the stand of the nine Dorbar Shnongs against them, the Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CoRP) on Thursday threatened to knock the doors of the higher authority to bring to book M/s Dhar Construction Company for destruction of the natural vegetation along Umiam River and also issued a 20-day deadline to the KHADC and Hima Mylliem to inspect the river.
CoRP’s action follows a statement made by leaders of the nine Dorbar Shnongs in a section of the vernacular dailies against the intervention of the CoRP in the quarry and mining activities undertaken by M/s Dhar Construction Company along the river bank of Umiam at Nonglum Village, Ri Bhoi.
The nine Dorbar Shnongs have been supporting the quarry mining by M/s Dhar Construction Company as they felt it was generating revenue for the village and also helping with developmental works such as construction of roads in the villages.
M/s Dhar Construction Company is owned by Umroi legislator Ngaitlang Dhar.
CoRP issued a 20-day deadline to the KHADC and the office of the Hima Mylliem to conduct spot inspection of Umiam River to assess the damage to environment caused by the quarry activities so that stringent action could be taken against the construction company.
CoRP informed that they had met the KHADC CEM and representative of Hima Mylliem on Tuesday last seeking their immediate action to stop mining activities along the river bank, but to no avail.
CoRP further questioned whether the road construction work undertaken in the nine villages was initiated by the legislator in his capacity as MLA of the areas or as owner of Dhar Construction Company, and demanded clarification on the same.
“If the nine Dorbar Shnongs continue to extend their support to the mining activities despite the wide-spread destruction to the environment, we will be left with no option but to knock the doors of the higher authority of the concerned department,” CoRP added.
