Hundreds of residents of Sunrise Colony, Dimapur including women and school children Friday protested against the municipal Affairs department for failing to shift the dumping site, by blocking around 20 DMC dumpers from entering the colony area, located near the dumping site.
The protestors were seen with placards that read “give us healthy environment else take us, article 21 includes right to health environment, we treat guest at home with Makhi and toxic gases” etc. The residents pointed out that dumping of garbage in the present location has caused environmental degradation in the adjoining areas and made the place unfit for dwelling, paritcuarly posing as serious health hazard.
The residents claimed that the concern department had assured to shift the dumping ground in 2016. Instead, the department withdrew the assurance, claiming that it had signed an MoU with New Waves Bio-Fuel India Pvt Ltd to setup solid waste management in the area, they said. However, the residents were firm, saying it will not compromise on any arrangement at the expense of people’s health.
The residents said the failure on the part of the authorities to heed to thier plea had compelled them to impose the blockade. Though, Naga Council Dimapur tried to mediate, the residents instead asked the government not to invite any third party on the matter. After negotiating with the district administration, DMC administrator, the residents agreed to have a meeting on August 12 with the Municipal Affairs parliamentary secretary and department officials.