School children in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi, took ill allegedly due to fumes emitted by a nearby factory yesterday.
The students of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School were badly affected by the foul smell and pollution from the factory, Meghalaya Cast and Alloy Pvt Ltd, as they were training for the school sports day. Several of them vomited on being affected by the gas.
Today, the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) visited the school and then the factory in question, which is situated at Harlibagan village, close to the school.
Speaking to the media persons, HITO Ri-Bhoi president Ban Kharnaior and vice-president Elvis Kyrsian said that the pressure group filed an FIR at Byrnihat police outpost and lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner against the company.
Kharnaior added that this is not the first time that local people have raised serious concerns on the pollution emitted by the factory and even held a rally over the issue and made complaints with the authorities but no action was taken.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate L Kharmon and a representative from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board also inspected the factory today and will submit reports to the DC for legal action against the company.
