GUWAHATI, July 16 : The Joutha Songramme Mansh, Dimoria, comprising 20 organizations, staged a demonstration at Dispur Last Gate today to protest against the alleged selling of tribal belt land to non-tribals and to demand the closure of factories in the Dimoria block of Kamrup district as they were causing pollution in the area.
Mansh convenor Bidyadhar Daimary said that there were five cement factories, 15 cold drink plants, more than 35 brick factories and 50 other factories in different parts of Dimoria like Kamalajari, Samata, Digaru, Kolongpai, Baruabari, Domorapathar and Khorutali. Gases and chemicals emitted from these factories have disturbed the ecological balance in Dimoria, said Daimary.
Due to the high-level of land and air pollution, cattle have fallen ill and died. People are suffering from various forms of cancer, tuberculosis and skin ailments. The factories have taken up huge stretches of agricultural land and whatever little land is available have become unsuitable for cultivation because of pollution. River water has become poisonous due to the harmful toxins that are getting released from the factories, said Daimary.
Mansh convenor Dibyojyoti Medhi also added that various appeals had been made in the past to the Government to take steps to close down the factories but of no avail. On the contrary, three new brick factories are coming up in the area, said Medhi. Medhi also said that the Kamrup district administration had clamped Section 144 in the district. Yet illegal earth-cutting was going on in various areas of Dimoria.
The Mansh also lashed out at the Asom Government for not taking any action to check the sale of tribal (ST) belt land to non-tribal people. It has alleged that several bighas of tribal belt land have been mutated in the name of non-tribal people and despite repeated pleas, the Government has taken no action to cancel the mutation.
The Mansh has demanded that Dimoria should be declared a green belt area and immediate steps should be taken to protect the environment in the area. Besides, the Mansh has demanded that the Government should give land pattas to the indigenous tribals so that their land cannot be encroached upon. The Mansh has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in this regard.
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