Industrial waste issue: Stopped from entering village, Khaira accuses CM of complicity

Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 27

Leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira accused Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh of trying to shield former minister Rana Gurjeet Singh, as the latter's mills came under fire for dumping untreated industrial waste into the drains of Buttar Sivian village.

After Sunday Tribune carried a report about how the minister's sugar mill dumped untreated industrial waters into the village drains, Khaira planned a march to the village, but was stopped by police in the adjoining Dhardeo village after some people who claimed to be members of a Kisan union, but who Khaira said were Rana's supporters, held a counter protest.

Khaira accused police of working for Rana.

Police however claimed they were trying to prevent violence.

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Addressing a public rally at the village, Khaira said: “I am here to visit the spot to show my concern with the waters of Punjab. I don’t want to mess with Rana’s goons,” and said he would sugar mills and distilleries in several parts of the state over the next few days to assess how they treated their industrial waste.

He accused Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of “shielding” people like Rana, who were “polluting the state’s waters”. 

“I will offer the drain water to Captain Amarinder and his ministers to drink”, he added.      

The Sunday Tribune quoted villagers as saying Rana Sugar Mills released untreated industrial wastewater into the village drains, polluting water sources in the village.

The mill has denied the allegations.