Apathy prompts women to take up initiative

NONGPOH: Concerned at the contamination of water in a stream at Nongpoh town caused by dumping of waste products, the Seng Longkmie of Mawroh village organised a day-long drive to create awareness about cleanliness among the local populace on Saturday.
The small stream, located in the heart of the town adjacent to the local market, has remained dirty for several years because of open littering.
Besides, people passing by the stream have faced problems in breathing with an unbearable stench emanating from it.
The Seng Lokmie, the women’s organisation of Mawroh village, were forced to take the task on their shoulders to clean the polluted stream as no competent authority had come up to address the matter.
During the drive, more than 100 tonnes of waste products were removed from the stream by the women body.
Speaking to reporters after the cleaning drive, the president of Seng Longkmie, Mawroh village, Magret Rymbai said the women’s body had conducted the cleaning drive as it was concerned at the increasing pollution in Nongpoh town, Ri Bhoi.
“The drive to clean such a polluted stream was the first step taken by the women’s body of Mawroh village. We have decided to continue our mission in the future keeping in mind the beauty and cleanliness of Nongpoh town and the health of the residents,” Rymbai said.
She also said the organisation has put up a notification to prohibit residents from dumping waste products into the stream, stating that stringent action would be taken against anyone found violating cleanliness norms in the area.
Rymbai said the organisation also urged the Nongpoh Town Committee and district administration to take serious note of keeping the town clean and ensure that such health hazards were curbed.