Opposition to setting up of more factories in Ri Bhoi

SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Ri Bhoi Students’ Union (RBSU) have opposed the setting up of a proposed calcium industry and a hatchery of the Meghalaya Agrovet Private Limited, stating that those will adversely affect the health of the people residing in the surrounding areas.
The two organisations have apprised KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem of the situation and requested him not to issue any new trading license to outside companies.
“Setting up of more companies will aggravate the pollution level in the region,” HNYF general secretary A. Jyrwa said on Friday.
They alleged that 32 companies have their presence in Ri Bhoi District with 12 factories being located in Byrnihat and 20 more in Umiam.     They also asserted that further industrialization of the region will have a detrimental effect on the salubrious life of the people if the KHADC permitted establishment of more factories in the district.
Jyrwa, meanwhile, claimed that several companies were trying to get a foothold at Mawthei, Khlieh Umtrew Tdoh Umsiang and Sohpdok which comes under Mawhati constituency and Umsning C&RD Block.