Jagraon boils over garbage dump, BJP leader slams MLA for inaction

Protests continued for the third day over the presence of a massive garbage dump on Disposal Road in Jagraon. On Wednesday, BJP leader Gejja Ram also joined the protesters and targeted the local MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke for turning a blind eye to the issue.

The protest, which began on Monday morning, continued unabated on Wednesday, when Gejja sharply criticised MLA Manuke. He said the lack of a solution to the problem, despite the Aam Aadmi Party being in power raised many questions regarding the MLA’s neglect towards the constituency.

The BJP leader alleged that numerous calls had been made to the SDM, ADC, DC etc over the past three days, but the administration had paid no attention to the matter. He said that the filth was spreading diseases and endangering people’s lives, yet the government and MLAs remained indifferent to the residents’ issues.

Principals, staff and schoolchildren from private schools also joined the protest. They said children had to cross this road daily wearing handkerchiefs and masks due to the stench emanating from the dump.

Following mounting public pressure, the administration has begun garbage collection and officials have promised to close the dump. However, the protesters have said their struggle would continue until the dump was completely removed and the area cleaned.

Baljinder Singh, Sarpanch of Agwar Khwaja Baju, said the dump was very close to their homes and religious sites—two temples, a gurdwara and a cowshed. The stench, smoke and garbage fires have made life difficult for residents. Furthermore, the stray animals that gather there pose a significant threat to passers-by.