ICELA protests against insanitation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 12: Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA) J&K Chapter led by its convenor, Ashok Sharma organised a dharna-cum-protest demonstration today against the insanitation caused due to choking of lanes and drains on account of construction work taken up by ERA in lane C-1, Shiv Nagar. A large number of inhabitants of the area took part in the protest.
The speakers alleged that ERA has forced people to have sleepless nights due to the noise created by its activities by running heavy machines, tractors and trollies for last four months. On making complaint, the field staff of the ERA got offended and started creating holes at altered distance of 40 metres instead of rationalized distance of 30 metres, they added.
They further complained that due to the pollution of air beyond permissible limits and noise at more than 80 db besides total insanitation, the infants, sick and old persons and school going students are the worst sufferers, adding that the diseases have increased at an alarming rate in the past four months.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Sharma urged the State Pollution Control Board, Environment Department and the District Magistrate, Jammu to take immediate steps and complete the work under the wire. Till then the night activity and the chocking of drains be stopped, he added.
Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included S N Sharma, ML Koul, MS Jamwal, DS Jamwal, Mohan Singh, Banarsi Dass, Balbinder Singh, etc.