By Our Reporter
Shillong: Discontent over the unjustified reply given by the Deputy Chief Minister In charge of animal husbandry and veterinary BM Lanong with regards to the slaughter house (abattoir), the residents of Mawlai Mawiong has resolved to stand in unison against this project if necessary steps were not taken to tackle the expected problems emerging from the dumping ground (marten) which is located very close to the abattoir.
The two Dorbar Shnongs of Mawiong-Mawiong rim and Mawiong Umjapung have decided to oppose the construction of the abattoir while stating that the Government can take the people’s confidence into consideration only after Marten dumping ground is equipped to tackle the expected problems.
This decision came after the minister failed to give a justified reply to the question raised by NCP legislator James K Sangma on the last day of the Assembly session recently.
In his reply, Lanong had mentioned that the Government would be adopting scientific methods to treat the meat while ensuring a safe and healthy atmosphere within the abattoir and its surroundings.
Lanong also asserted that the Government would not suspend the construction of the proposed slaughter house at Mawlai Mawiong despite protests from numerous corners while maintaining that the concept of having a slaughter house is not a new thing and the same has been adapted nationally and internationally.
However, the Minister was unable to reply to Sangma’s question pertaining to the application of the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary department depicting the number of people residing within the 5km radius from the abattoir as 1000.
Disappointed with silence, the two Dorbar Shnongs of Mawiong have stated that the number calculated by the department is an insult to the rest of the blocks within the two localities.
“What about the other 9000 residents who are being exempted by the directorate?” questioned the Rangbah Shnong of Mawiong rim SL Nongpiur while expressing disappointment over the negligence of the said department in ignoring the rest of the people as residents of Mawiong.
The two Dorbar Shnongs have also urged the Chief Minister and Water Resource Minister to visit the spot personally and witness a vast negligence and difference in the number of people residing within the 5km radius range from the abattoir as mentioned by the Vet department.
“Just because of this Rs 22 crore project, the Government is all out to pollute our source of drinking water besides affecting the health of the people due to the close proximity of the marten dumping ground here”, Nongpiur said.
It may be mentioned that James Sangma, while urging that the Marten dumping ground should first be equipped to tackle the expected problems, had said that the abattoir project should be put on hold till then.