Correspondent
IMPHAL, APRIL 24
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he North East Dialogue Forum (NDFM-Manipur) has urged the government to make available potable water to the general masses in the state. This was conveyed to the media persons during a press conference at Manipur Press Club in Imphal this afternoon.
Kh Rebati Raman, member NEDF-Manipur also demanded to immediately implement the state action plan on climate change into action besides framing the state water policy, state forest policy and state land use policy under the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples. He also urged the government to preserve and protect the water bodies and catchments areas of the region.The member of NEDF-Manipur also expressed unhappiness over the silent nature of the responsible officials of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the state run water supply agency while the people of the state are facing water crisis.
Stating that Manipur is one of the rainiest places in the world after Sohra or Cherapunjee in Meghalaya, he said the PHED officials should not remain like a spectator considering the water scarcity issue as a natural calamity in the region.
Accusing some of the higher level state government officials for misusing the funds, he also asked whether the PHED exists to give water or to give contract works.
The NEDF functionary also admitted that the authorities should not encourage the move to convert water bodies of the state into drains and building of community halls by covering ponds and other water bodies.
Project Manager Mangsatabam Babycha of Centre for Science and Environment also informed the media that women and children are affected most when there is water crisis as they run the kitchens. There are plenty of water supplies at the army camps and VIP bungalows, but why not to the general public, she questioned. There are also reports of offering sex to get water from the army camps, she alleged.
H Bokul, a resident of Upokpi under Bishnupur district, T Manglem of Heirok in Thoubal district, Yongbi Sanatombi of Maklang village under Imphal West district and A Rajesh of Awang Sekmai in Imphal West district besides S Sanahal of Heinoubok under Bishnupur district also shared their experiences in the ongoing water crisis in their respective areas.
