Women protest installation of waste treatment plant in Paprola

Palampur, July 24

Women from villages adjoining Paprola lodged a protest today over setting up of a garbage disposal treatment plant at Burli Kothi village near the town, 20 km from here.

The Baijnath-Paprola Municipal Council is setting up a modern garbage treatment plant at Burli Kothi village on the outskirts of Paprola town, on the government land. The women asked the authorities to remove their machinery, saying they would not allow the construction of the plant as it would prove to be a health hazard.

The Municipal Council had acquired over 50-kanal government land for this plant, three years ago. The council had already purchased machinery for the project. Pardeep Dixit, Executive Officer, Baijnath MC, said when municipal councillors, along with the staff, reached the spot for installation of the plant today morning, the women assembled there and tried to stop the operation of JCB machines.

The police were called to control the situation. They persuaded the women to call off their agitation.

The Executive Officer said the site, where the garbage treatment plant was being set up, was far away from the village. Despite repeated requests, the women stopped the government employees from performing their official duties, he said. He would lodge a complaint with the police, Dixit said. — OC