The Bhogdoi river, which flows through the city of Jorhat in Eastern Assam, has ‘suddenly’ turned sticky and murky. 

Dead fishes have also been reportedly sighted in several areas along the river banks, due to suspected contamination of the water. 

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In the wake of several complaints, relating to high suspected contamination of the Bhogdoi river, Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, along with Jorhat Additional Deputy Commissioner – Damodar Barman and a team of Public Health and Engineering Department officials, on Friday, visited the mouth of the river, which originates in the Naga Hills, to find out the cause of the slush and stickiness of the water. 

For many tea garden workers and people residing along the Bhogdoi river in Mariani, the river is the only source of water, be it consumption or daily use. 

Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi has appealed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to urgently address the issue. 

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In a Facebook post, Rupjyoti Kurmi said: “An earnest appeal to Govt. of Assam to send an Emergency Team along with a chemist to check the Bhogdoi river water and save the people of Mariani as Laboratory report reveals increase of ‘Manganese’ and decrease of ‘pH value’ in the river water,on which many people are dependant. #SaveBhogdoiSaveMariani.” 

Kurmi further alleged that the river water has become “contaminated” because of illegal coal mining in Nagaland.  

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Meanwhile, Jorhat Additional DC – Damodar Barman informed that water sample from the river has been collected and sent to the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) for testing. 

He added that as per Urban Water Supply department officials and PHED, the water is still safe for consumption, but after treatment. 

In Mariani, there are 15 to 16 riverine villages and several tea gardens that are located along side the river. 

Apart from this, water from Bhogdoi river is being supplied to a sizable section of population residing in Jorhat town.