Residents stage protest against pollution caused by carbon factories

From our Correspondent

Bongaigaon, February 16: The local people of Kajalgaon Town Committee of Chirang district staged a protest on Tuesday in front of Carbon Research Private Limited, a carbon company established in Kukurmari Sopur area of Kajalgaon town. The local people alleged that dust released from this company’s factory was polluting the environment of the area.

“The black smoke coming out from the factory has polluted air, soil and water of the area. The entire area is covered with a black shadow of carbon dust. People are getting affected. There has been an increase in the number of cancer cases. People are suffering from other health problems as well,” said a local resident.

 “It is very strange that the company got NOC from Chirang district administration and the Pollution Control Board to set up such a factory in a residential area like Sopur. The people, under the banner of Kajalgaon Town Committee, had given several written appeals to the district administration and Pollution Control Board in this regard. We have also staged many protest programme in this regard but got no good response. Hence we have submitted a PIL in Gauhati High Court in this regard. The proprietor of this company had allegedly manipulated the Pollution Control Board to get NOC. Hence, we have given them last warning today to close this factory. Otherwise, we will not obey any law and order and the administration will be responsible for any situation that might arise,” said local people.

Another carbon company - Brahmaputra Carbon Industry - was set up in Dolaigaon area of Bongaigaon district, which is a fully residential area. The people of this area also agitated for few years for the same reason but did not get any fruitful answer from the district administration and Pollution Control Board.