SHILLONG: Unknown miscreants threw unidentified oil-like substance in the water reservoir of Nongkseh on Monday creating fear about potential health risk to its residents as the was unknowingly released to the residents in the morning for their use.
The headman of Nongkseh, A.S. Thangkhiew lodged an FIR immediately at the Jhalupara Police Outpost stating that the plumber who went to close the tap at 8 am, found out that the water pouring out of it was dirty and mixed with unidentified mobil-like substance.
He wrote, “Unknowingly the water is released to the residents in the morning at 6:30 am. The water is always crystal clear coming down from Shillong Peak.”
He urged the police to conduct investigation into the matter and arrest the culprit at the earliest.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Thangkhiew said, “The locality of Nongkseh has a water filter reservoir of about 40,000-50,000 litres capacity which has been functioning since 2015. The water reservoir is also fenced.”
“We will allow the water to overflow since the mobil oil and water will not mix. There will be no water supply till the water is properly cleaned,” he said adding that the residents should treat the water properly as it was already released to them in the morning.
He criticized the “sick minds” who planned such activities for fun even as he claimed that 10-20 litres of mobil oil was used.
Thangkhiew informed over 330 households were affected and there were 15 public water pipes.
Meanwhile, local MLA and a state Cabinet Minister, Hamlet Dohling said, “The water looks unfit for consumption. The water will be cleaned today as it is a matter if life and death for the people as the mobil oil that was thrown in the water increases health risks.”
Condemning the miscreants behind the act, he said, “It is difficult to suspect anyone. Who is this spoilt brat making all this nonsense? We have requested the police to interrogate the matter.”
Informing that PHE will conduct necessary tests to check whether the water is safe to drink or not, Dohling instructed PHE officials to conduct tests in all water sources coming to Lummawbah, Lawsohtun, Umlyngka, Shillong areas also.
