By Francis Khongwar
Shillong (Meghalaya), Oct 21 : The Khasi Students’ Union, South West Khasi Hills District on Thursday expressed strong opposition for setting up Coke Factories in their district.
The student body said that they met the officials of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and Member Secretary of the Single Window Agency and urged them not to give the environmental clearance for setting up Coke Factories, as they will pollute the environment.
Speaking to the media, the President, Forwardman Nongrem said the student body is opposing the establishment of Coke Factories because they will pollute the entire environment and turn all the rivers and streams acidic in the area
.Nongrem also said his organization would not like to see the people of the area breathing the polluted air.
“Coke factories are categorized as hazardous process industries that have devastating impact on the environment. The toxic emissions which arise during the operations of these plants will undoubtedly cause severe health issues to the indigenous residents. The land and water pollution in the area is a prominent crisis, but somehow people are able to manage with such a crisis as of now. So any legalization of coke factories in the area would be like rubbing salt into the wound and thereby, placing the life of the people in grave danger”, Nongrem added.
