By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Dorbar Shnong on Monday stepped-up its opposition against the abattoir project with Mawlai Mawiong Rim headman, SS Lyngdoh comparing Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister BM Lanong to Herod, a Biblical character, to drive home the point that people have been affected due to the setting up of the slaughter house at Mawiong.
Reacting to Lanong’s statement that the first meat treated from the slaughter house could be supplied to the people for the Christmas feast, the headman said, “It seems that the best gift (as mentioned by the Deputy CM is to eliminate 9,000 people just like Herod did in the first Christmas”.
Lanong had recently informed that the construction of the abattoir, which is going on in full swing, is expected to be completed by December.
The two Dorbar Shnong of Mawiong-Mawiong Rim and Mawiong Umjapung-stated that the voice of the public is being suppressed paving the way for policy-makers to stand tall.
Stating that they will not rest if the basic rights of the people are violated, Lyngdoh said that till date the local residents are awaiting a detailed consultation with the concerned authorities for a clear-cut answer on the effects of the project on the main source of drinking water located downstream.
Questioning the government for its weak laws and bindings to protect the water sources, Lyngdoh said “If the government leads the way to pollute water, the public would soon follow suit”.
The headman also maintained that the government had all along promised to curb the foul smell and flies from the dumping site (Marten) at Mawiong. However, the same is yet to be realised.
“Before the government gives a green signal for the functioning from the abattoir, issues with the dumping site should be taken care of”, he added.
It may be mentioned that the Rs 22-crore project sanctioned by the state government and implemented by the Veterinary department with an aim to ease the burden of the butchers in and around the city suffered many setbacks due to oppositions from the Joint Executive Committee of the Dorbar Shnong of Mawiong Umjapung and Mawiong Rim.