Villagers’ complaint: Three crushing units sealed

HARIPUR: The district administration has sealed three crushing units following protests from villagers in the Suraj Gali area of Khanpur, police said on Friday. Residents of Suraj Gali Village and adjoining areas had staged protests against the increasing amount of dust and noise pollution generated by quarrying and other activities of the owners of three crushing units a couple of weeks back.  The villagers had accused the crush owners of exposing their lives to multiple health risks, and also causing the death of a minor girl due to breathing related issues. During the protest the villagers had threatened to block the road if the crush machines were not shut down. After the complaints and in light of a Supreme Court decision regarding operation of crushing units near populated areas, Haripur Deputy Commissioner Taslim Khan ordered the immediate closure of the three units, which were formally sealed by Haripur Assistant Commissioner Arif  Yusufzai.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2016.