'Illegal' mobile towers in school buildings opposed

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, August 10: The Hynniewtrep Peoples Federation (HPF) today submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hill district opposing construction of illegal mobile towers atop school buildings.

The memorandum states that mobile towers have been set up atop school buildings like Valley View Secondary School, Pynthor Umkhrah and Seven Hut Secondary School, Mawlai.

“All these buildings and cellular companies violate the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules made under it. The towers are being installed in gross violation of the new guidelines framed by the Union Department of Telecommunication (DoT),” Tyngshain Lapang, president, HPC central body, said.

“In several studies, it has been proved that electromagnetic radiation is harmful as such the children and staff of the institutions are bound to be affected. We are gravely concerned about the health of the students and young children in these schools,” he said.

 The HPF further hoped that the government will take a serious note of the complaint and that the matter should be resolved at the earliest. “The illegal towers/antene must be removed with immediate effect before the affects of radiation begin to show on the young students,” it said.