In response to the inadequate provision of potable drinking water in the Lilong area, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Non-Supply of Drinking Water has announced the cancellation of a general strike initially planned for today at 5 PM on National Highway 102, stretching from Lilong Bazar to Ushoipokpi. This decision came following a meeting held on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal, Yumnam Robita, IAS, which included the involvement of various officials such as the Superintendent of Police of Thoubal, SDPO Thoubal, the Officer in Charge of Lilong, and representatives from NHIDCL and PHED, alongside JAC members.
JAC Convenor Aziz Lamin Nongjai communicated to the media the postponement of the protest, attributing this development to several agreements reached during discussions with NHIDCL and pertinent government authorities. These agreements facilitate the provision of water to the communities on both sides of the Lilong Turel Ahanbi, in addition to Lilong Leihaokhong, Yangbi Leikai, and Lilong Bazar until the 20th of this month, and extend the supply from the Lilong Chaobok Arapti Water Supply to those areas up to April 30.
The decision to call off the general strike was influenced by frustrations expressed by Nongjai regarding the prolonged neglect of necessary repairs on the water supply pipelines. He highlighted that numerous local clubs and organizations have persistently lobbied NHIDCL and the relevant departments within the Manipur government for timely repairs, but their appeals have largely been met with indifference, exacerbating the community’s plight.
On March 3, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand, urging immediate action to restore water supplies. This memorandum was also directed to PHED, NHIDCL, and the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal, but the lack of responsive action has led to the JAC’s declaration of a general strike in a bid to draw attention to the crisis. The JAC called upon the public, particularly those between the Lilong market and Ushoipokpi, to support their cause, clarifying that the strike would not impede emergency services such as fire response, water supply, educational examinations, or religious observances.
The JAC Against the Non-Supply of Drinking Water was established through a coalition of nine local organizations, including the Social Development Association (Lilong Uku), Social Development Organisation (Lilong Turek Ahanbi Mathak Leikai), and various development clubs and associations dedicated to the welfare of the Lilong community.