Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 29: The members of civil society in large number including women blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway at Hatli Morh for over two hours today against the installation of Red Category highly polluted Industry in populated area in Kathua.
The protestors sat on dharna in the middle of National Highway and disrupted the traffic movement on it for more than two hours. The protestors were raising slogans against the district administration, Pollution Control Board (PCB), District Industries Centre, Kathua and RK grinding cement based Klinker Industry. They registered the strong protest and were demanding shifting of Red Category RK Grinding Industry which is being set up in populated areas to another area as it will directly effect ten thousand population and four schools, some offices and business establishments functioning in the area.
The protestor Rajesh Mehta alleged they are fighting since 2016 against this Red Category Industry being set up in Hatli More and adjoining localities which are thickly populated areas. Officer of District Industries Centre Kathua were responsible for all dispute which is their creation and the situation which is going to take ugly turn as it is they who gave permission to RK Grinding Industry to extend the cement unit to Klinker Unit, he added.
A woman Ranjana Devi said they are worried about the health of their children as the children are studying in the school which is running in Industrial areas. They are fighting for their lives as there is air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution and hence cannot sleep even during night under such circumstances. “We want one time solution of this problem,. But the concerning departments are not serious over to solve the issue. They are working under the influence of Industrialist”, she added.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Ghanshyam Singh reached on the spot and pacified the protestors. He assured them to take necessary action in this context and also order enquiry that who has granted permission to the Red Category unit in populated area.
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