Black substances found floating in Iril River Sample collected for further testing

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 7 : Tension gripped some areas of Imphal East today after unfamiliar black substances were found floating in Iril River today.
Even as the locals suspect that the black substances might have been put in by the Kuki militants to contaminate the river, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) clarified  that the samples of the water 'were found within the permissible limit for untreated water'.
The PHED continued that they nonetheless will send the collected sample to an advanced laboratory for further testing.  
A team of Civil Engineering Department of NIT, Manipur said that water contamination of Iril River cannot be ruled out.
In a statement, Department of Civil Engineering of NIT Manipur, said that some fishes were found reportedly dead at the investigation site in Iril River.
It further said that the water of Iril River is likely not potable at the current state according to WHO standards.
Saying that the further tests are underway at NIT Manipur, the statement added that contaminated (polluted) water contains unwanted physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substances, and it is unfit for drinking or domestic use.
It appealed to all concerned to avoid water consumption from Iril River until further insights into the water quality and safety criteria for potability and domestic use is verified.
Iril River originates from the hills in Saikul Constituency and the black substances were found floating in the upstream of Dolaithabi Barrage.
Gangpijang, a Kuki village, is situated some 500 metres ahead of Dolaithabi Barrage.
People living in Dolaithabi areas said that there is a large number of Kuki militants at Gangpijang and it must be them who released the peculiar black substances.
Though it has not been confirmed as of yet what the black materials actually could be, many  suspect that the substances which were found flowing in Iril River are likely residues of burnt trees.
Photos and videos of the river flowing in black have also been circulated widely on social media platforms.
Reportedly, the black substances disappeared after they dissolved in the water at some places along the course of the river but stayed longer where there were whirlpools.
Soon after the incident, a team of police led by Imphal East SP Dr S Ibomcha rushed to the site and monitored the condition of the river.
To prevent the water from flowing further downstream, the Water Resources Department (WRD) closed the shutters of Dolaithabi Barrage.
PHED Minister L Susindro and  officials of PHED and Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have also taken stock of the situation by going to the site and collected samples of the water for testing.
Meanwhile, PHED, in a statement, said that they have collected samples of the water from the river and sent them to the laboratories for further testing.
"On preliminary testing, it has been found that all the parameters required for testing of samples available at the lab facilities were found within the permissible limit for untreated water."
The department continued that the sample will be sent to advanced laboratories if the need arises.
In the meantime, the PHED appealed to all villagers residing nearby to remain vigilant and report to the Government if there is a further suspicious incident.