Appeal for end to illegal brick kilns in GH plains

TURA, Jan 21: After several residents from Rajabala area raised the issue of illegal brick kilns operating in the area recently, the Garo Hills Youth Organization (GHYO) has also filed several complaints in this regard to concerned authorities demanding that the illegal activity be immediately stopped.
The complaint was filed by President of the GHYO, Nazmul Hashan to the Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner along with a copy to the district Superintendent of Police.
“It has been reported that more than 100 illegal brick kilns have come up in the Plain Belt region of West Garo Hills District from Hallidayganj to Chibinang under the Police Station of Phulbari, Rajabala, Hallidayganj, causing serious health issues for the public including children, women and elderly citizen. The District Administration, Police and other concerned departments have failed to regulate and maintain law and order which is a serious concern,” Hashan said, in his complaint.
Earlier, the complaint filed by the residents had alleged the presence of over 70 such illegal brick kilns operating in and around villages like Sakmal, Ramjonggre, Gorband (Singwilgre), Silkata, Kharigaon and Sobribari all under Rajabala police station.
“These brick kilns are operating within 5 to 100 metres away from mosques, human residences, water bodies etc and also not maintaining the minimum distance of one kilometer from one kiln to another as mandated by the notification issued by the Ministry of Forests and Environment,” the complainants had added.
Meanwhile, the fresh complaint filed by Hashan sought that immediate action be taken by concerned authorities on the matter and that an inquiry be ordered to look into and put a stop to the illegal activity.