In ‘cover-up’ bid, expired drugs set ablaze at Faridkot dumpyard

Despite an investigation into the seizure of expired medicines and biomedical waste from a dumpyard situated at Faridkot’s New Grain Market, unidentified persons set fire to the trash here today.

The fire completely incinerated the remaining biomedical waste, raising serious concerns about attempts to destroy crucial evidence.

On June 12, The Tribune had highlighted illegal disposal of expired drugs and biomedical waste in the market.

Deputy Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur had formed a 12-member multi-departmental committee and directed them to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days. The committee would be investigating the source and responsibility behind the dumping of expired medicines.

Faridkot Civil Surgeon Dr Chander Shekhar said, “We had already collected batch numbers and other critical details of the dumped medicines. Based on that data, we are in the process of identifying the buyer or distributor responsible for the consignment.”

According to eyewitnesses, thick black smoke engulfed the area, posing health hazards to more than a hundred labourers working nearby.

Though the committee had already collected samples from the site, the timing of the blaze has fueled suspicions of an attempt to destroy evidence and obstruct the investigation.

Executive Officer Amritpal Singh said the Fire Department had been informed immediately after receiving the alert. However, the trash got gutted even before the fire engines could reach the spot.

“We are investigating the cause of the fire and trying to identify those responsible. This incident will also be examined as part of the ongoing probe,” he said.

Locals urged the authorities concerned to analyse CCTV footage of the area and nab the miscreants behind the incident.