Farmers’ body wants strict action

Surat: Demanding strict actions against all those involved in the illegal dumping of hazardous chemical waste in the open, the Khedut Samaj Gujarat threatened to file a PIL in the high court in this regard.

KSG leaders alleged that they had alerted the authorities time and again about the dangerous impact of illegal dumping of chemicals in Surat and surrounding areas, but their appeals were never addressed. The leaders and environmental activists from the city addressed the media on Thursday following the Sachin GIDC incident that claimed six lives and created threat to 23 other lives.

“A high court judge should investigate the organized racket of chemical dumping. It is not only damaging the natural resources but also affecting lives of human and all living beings,” said Jayesh Patel, president KSG.

In a statement KSG demanded actions against officials of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) as well. “In the past, two persons died in Surat district in similar incidents, but the investigation never moved forward. Strict actions should be taken to stop this menace,” said MSH Shaikh, an environment activist.

“Earlier, we kept watch around villages to nab those dumping illegal waste. We caught the culprits and handed them over to the police but they were later released,” said Darshan Naik, a cooperative leader.