NONGPOH, March 17: In a suspected case of river poisoning, several fish were found dead and floating on the Umiam river in Umktieh, Ri-Bhoi, on Friday morning.
The incident was brought to light by the youths of Umktieh Pyllun and members of the Khasi Students’ Union, Umktieh unit.
As per sources, the youths and KSU members, on receiving reports about the incident, visited the aforesaid river at around 5am only to find dead fish afloat the river.
Meanwhile, general secretary of Seng Samla Umktieh Pyllun Cornelius Lyngdoh and general secretary of KSU Umktieh unit Richard Lyngdoh have condemned the alleged poisoning of the river. They have also vowed to trace the ones at fault and hand them over to the concerned authority.
It may be noted that the village authority, along with the youths of Umktieh Pyllun, has time and again issued warnings against poisoning, netting and using explosive devices to catch fish from Umiam River.