Union demands legal action against two non-local men, says activity further polluted river

Shillong, August 17: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, inspected a site in the Polo area after a video purportedly showing two non-local men washing utensils in the Umkhrah River went viral on social media.

According to the video, the two men were allegedly using water from the already severely polluted river to wash utensils and other items, prompting concern among residents over further contamination of the water body.

Following complaints from members of the public, KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle members visited the site to assess the situation and trace the individuals seen in the video.

Circle president Banjoplang Dkhar said the two men were not at the site when union members arrived. He claimed that the individuals later surrendered themselves before the police.

Dkhar described the condition of the site as “disgusting and alarming”, stating that such activities could not be tolerated when efforts are being made by the public and government authorities to protect and restore rivers and other water sources.

The KSU said pollution of rivers and water bodies poses risks to public health, the environment and communities living downstream.

The union appealed to residents, vendors and business establishments operating near rivers and streams to refrain from dumping waste or washing utensils and other materials in water bodies.

The KSU also demanded that police take appropriate legal action against the two individuals and said it would closely monitor the matter to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.