Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday set an example for the people as he joined a mega cleanliness drive in a stream in Aizawl as part of a programme to clean the Tlawng river, the main source of water supply to the state capital.

Dressed as a labourer, carrying a “dao” in a traditional woollen bag and wearing a hat, the 75-year-old was seen collecting garbage with the young volunteers from Aizawl’s Tuikual stream, which flows into the Tlawng river.

The cleanliness event was organised jointly by the Save Riparian Group and the NSS Cell of Mizoram’s Sports and Youth Service department.

Braving the scorching heat, over 500 young volunteers took part in the event.

“Their (Save Riparian Group) initiatives prompted both the government and myself to take action towards cleaning streams to get clean water supply,” Lalduhoma said.

He said that the commendable service of the group encouraged him to take part in Friday’s event.

The chief minister had earlier supported the service and cause of the group by donating Rs 2 lakh last month.

The group was formed in March this year to clean gorges and streams to get clean water supply from the Tlawng river.

It launched the first phase of its massive cleanliness drive for 20 days in April and cleaned two streams.

The second phase of the mega cleanliness drive was launched in early May, and during the drive, the members of the group are trying to clean garbage from the Tuikual Lui (stream) and other streams within 30 days.