MAWKYRWAT: Eight persons were recently taken ill in South West Khasi Hills after they drank water that allegedly contained chemical fertilisers.
The water was coming out from a cave near a paddy field at Jarainbar near Mawthawpdah village in the district.
The incident took place around 3.30 pm on Friday. The eight persons, all of whom were working in the field, used the water for making tea. Immediately after they finished food and tea, they started feeling uneasy and were taken to CHC Mawkyrwat, said a victim.
Another victim said the water contained chemicals which are used in the field.
“People in our area are still using chemical fertilisers and maybe we are drinking the water that has chemicals in it,” he said.The State Government is promoting organic farming and has set a target to convert 2 lakh hectares into organic farmland by 2020.
The victims have been identified as Nightstar Mawlein (41), Jwanly Pariong (25) and Johnkelvin Nongrem (21) from Nongdiat village, Skhemborlang Lyngkhoi (25) and Marnes Lyngdoh (30) from Mawkyllung village, Darlin Lyngkhoi (58) from Nonglynkien village, Diborsing Mawlong (28) and Ananstar Nongrem from Rohbah village.
Doctors at CHC Mawkyrwat said all the men are stable and will be allowed to leave in two or three days.
