Protest to shift hadda rori continues

Our Correspondent

Malerkotla, August 16

Residents of Gobind Nagar and Gandhi Nagar localities situated on Naudharani Road protested in front of the offices of senior functionaries in the administration as the local civic body had failed to remove hadda rori from the area. The residents organised a protest rally and burned an effigy representing the administration.

SDM Aparna visited the protest spot in front of her office and urged the Municipal Council to get the hadda rori shifted.

Residents led by convener of the Hadda Rori Chukayo Privar Bachao Committee Ranjit Singh Ranwan said the authorities had failed to comprehend the public health emergency that was being caused by the unauthorised dumping of animal carcass near residential and industrial areas. About 1,400 students and staff of a private school situated at a stone’s throw were also prone to contracting infections of dreaded diseases, alleged the protestor.

The residents condemned the lack of concern of higher authorities in the Punjab government. Ranwan said they have appealed to the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, MP Gurmit Singh Meet Hayer, Malerkotla MLA Zamil Ur Rehman, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal and Chairman Pollution Control Board Punjab. However, the appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

Referring to the directives issued by Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, the residents said an epidemic may spread before orders regarding management of hadda rori in villages across the state turn effective.

Residents alleged that no official of any department had visited their area to conduct a survey to identify and mark any designated site. Ranwan said, “The visits by teams of Pollution Control Board Punjab have also proved to be mere eyewash.”