IMPHAL, May 26: A public meeting held at Sekmai today has reiterated the ban on stone and sand quarrying from Sekmai River which was resolved on May 12 by an apex body formed by 21 organizations of the area.
Today’s public meeting was organized this afternoon around 1pm by the Advance Women Society, Sekmai and Sekmai Protection Committee at the Nganbi Educational Centre, Koujengleima at Awang Sekmai.
While deciding that the ban will be imposed from June 1, the public meeting also decided that anyone found going against the public ban will be fined a sum of Rs 5000 and the concerned truckers and vehicle owners should be held responsible for any eventuality resulting from the attempt.
After a lengthy discussion of the issue, the meeting resolved that the continued quarrying of stones and sand from the Sekmai River has adversely affected both the condition of the river and the climatic condition of the area. It was also resolved that it has also affected agriculture in the area on account of which it has been decided to reiterate the May 12 decision to ban stone and sand quarrying from Sekmai River.
The public also resolved during the meeting that the resolutions of the meeting would be intimidated to the concerned authorities.
The meeting was presided over by Sekmai Protection Committee Angom Rajesh with United Committee, Manipur president Nabachandra as chief guest and Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, AMKIL president Sakhi and Tammi CHingmi Apunba Nupi Lup president Momon as guests of honour respectively.