SHILLONG, April 22: There seems to be no end to the garbage woes faced by residents of Jowai with members of the Elaka Sutnga on Friday preventing dumper trucks from unloading garbage in the abandoned coal mines of owned by Damewanhi Rymbai, the assistant Waheh Chnong of Moolamylliang village.
Secretary of the Joint Village Defence Party of Elaka Sutnga, Pynbait Sutnga said they stopped the dumber trucks at Lad Rymbai. The garbage was brought back and re-dumped at the same place from where it had been collected earlier in the day.
The VDP secretary said that Rymbai had signed the agreement with the Jowai Municipal Board (JMB) to allow dumping of garbage in his abandoned coal mines without consulting the leaders of Elaka Sutnga.
Pynbait also recalled that the JMB had made a similar attempt last year to dump garbage at a coal mine under Elaka Sutnga.
He added that the Elaka Sutnga had written to the West Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner expressing their opposition to dumping of garbage in the abandoned coal mines owned by Damewanhi Rymbai.
When contacted, East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal said they had received a letter from the West Jaintia Hills district administration to facilitate the exercise for dumping of the garbage in the abandoned coal mines.
“We hope the West Jaintia Hills district administration reaches out to Elaka Sutnga and convinces them to permit dumping of garbage in the abandoned coal mines,” the DC said.
Meanwhile, the West Jaintia Hills district administration on Friday imposed Section 144 CrPC over apprehension of breach of peace and tranquillity within Jowai town arising out of the presence of the garbage in Iawmusiang and Iawthymme – the two prime business centres of the district.
In the order, district Deputy Commissioner, LSN Dykes said the presence of garbage in Jowai town area may endanger to human lives and cause diseases and unwanted health issues to the people particularly those who have their work place in Iawmusiang and Iawthymme areas who are directly exposed to the smell for a longer period unless prevented.
Dykes also said that an emergent joint meeting of the JHADC, the WJH district administration and Jowai Municipal Board held on April 20 had decided that the Council land situated at Pangit in Khliehtyrshi will be used as a temporary dumping site.
He stated that the JMB and the JHADC will take immediate steps to clear the garbage from Iawmusiang and Iawthymme areas and dump the same at the newly-identified site.
The DC said that anyone found preventing or obstructing the dumping of garbage at Pangit, Khliehtyrshi will be dealt with as per law.
HC asks state to address garbage issue
In a related development, the High Court of Meghalaya on Friday directed the state government to look into the matter of garbage disposal for the entire state and not just Jowai town.
Hearing a PIL filed by Synjuk Ki Waheh Chnong Jowai, the court noted that the state government and the local bodies have identified a temporary site for dumping and lifting of garbage in Jowai town has commenced.
“Since all concerned, including the State, appear to have looked into the matter and meetings have been held to identify an alternative dumping site, no immediate order is required,” the court said.
“Let the matter appear a fortnight hence. It is hoped that some immediate and long-term solutions would be arrived at by then,” it added.
It was submitted on behalf of the headmen of the six villages who have been added as parties that the state government should ensure that the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified by the central government in exercise of its authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is implemented as expeditiously as possible by creating bodies and infrastructure in terms therewith.