NGT, Environment Min urged to punish ‘JH fish killers’

SHILLONG: The Dorbar Ki Daloi Ka Ri Jaintia has petitioned the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) alleging that the authorised agent of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in Jowai has illegally killed thousands of aquatic animals.
In a petition submitted to the Ministry and the NGT, the group of traditional heads said the JHADC Executive Committee illegally issued permission and licence for mass killing of fish in various water bodies of Jaintia Hills.
According to the group, several metric tonnes of fish in one of the rivers were killed on Monday by the authorised agents of the Council’s Executive Committee.
“The matter is a serious criminal offence and it goes against the spirit of the Protection of Wildlife and Animal Act,” the petition said and asked the Ministry and the NGT to take suo motu cognizance of the matter and ensure arrest of all involved in the crime.