Despite the Gauhati High Court order to shut down brick kiln industries in Tengakhat area, a section of brick kiln industries are still operational in the area.
Defying the HC order, the illegal brick kiln industries at Tengakhat revenue circle in Dibrugarh district is fully operational which has posed health hazard for the residents of the nearby area.
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Sources said out of nine brick kiln industries five are still functional in Tengakhat. Tengakhat is 28 km from Dibrugarh.
On January 10, 2013, Guwahati High Court had given an order to shut down the brick kiln industries located in the Tengakhat revenue circle in Dibrugarh district.
“Despite High Court order to shut down the brick kiln industries, five of them are still operational. A copy of the High court order (No- JR. GA/ BSG/2013/318) was sent to Dibrugarh district administration on April 4, 2013 but no action has been taken till today,” Geetashree Konwar, state president of International Human Rights Council, said.
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She alleged that nine brick kiln industries are situated with a radius of 1 to 2 km of which five of them are fully operational.
“The brick kiln industries are creating health hazard for the people of the area and till date more than 150 people died because of the pollution generated from the brick kiln factories which causes serious diseases like cancer, respiratory disease and TB etc. The brick kiln owners have flouted the High Court order and still operating the brick kiln industries and the district administration is not taking any step,” Konwar added.
She said International Human Rights Council and Asom Sangrami Oikya Mancha jointly protested the violation of the HC order and appeal the government to look into the matter seriously within a stipulated time.
According to Assam brick kiln establishment and regulation rule, 2013, brick kiln industries shall be established on at least 300 metres away from the residential area having a minimum population of 100-150 people of 20 houses including both thatched and pucca houses.
Lalan Sahani, central president of Asom Sangrami Oikya Mancha (ASOM) said, “We demand immediate closer of the five brick kiln industries which are creating pollution in the entire area and the people are having respiratory problems. We have started a signature campaign for the closure of the five brick kiln units and already 700 people have given their signature and after the completing 1000 signatures we will send it to Prime minister,” Sahani said.