Another official in charge of environmental protection was dismissed from his post in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, for failing to stop river water pollution, said sources with the local government Monday.

Lai Jianneng, director of the environmental protection bureau in Qingbaijiang District of the city, was accused of failing to take effective measures to stop the pollution of the Tuojiang River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River, China's longest, after being aware of the case.

Zheng Xinghua, deputy head of the Qingbaijiang District who was in charge of environmental protection of the district, admitted failing to stop river water pollution effectively and resigned.

Zhang Shan, director of the environmental administrative station, was also dismissed from his post and charged with dereliction of duty in environmental supervision and administration. Gu Tianyi, deputy director of the station, was demoted.

The Tuojiang River was seriously polluted in February and March, when a chemical factory at the upper reach of the river released tons of waste water, causing water supply for millions of people along the river to be suspended for a time and a direct economic loss of about 300 million yuan (US$36.1 million).

In May, Song Shiying, deputy director of the EPB in Qingbaijiang District, and Zhang Ming, director of the environmental protection monitoring station, was detained and accused of negligence in protecting the river.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2004)