Toxic fumes: Commissioner closes all sugar mills in DI Khan

These will not be allowed to operate unless they take environment-friendly measures to avoid such incidents.

DI KHAN:

DI Khan Commissioner Muhammad Mushtaq Jadoon on Monday visited the families of those killed by toxic waste discharged from a sugar mill and ordered to close down all sugar mills in the area till further orders.

He stated that the mills would not be allowed to reopen till they are made environment friendly. Talking to the victims’ families, Jadoon said after the enquiry is completed, those held responsible will be dealt with strictly. If the district government’s three-member committee report is found unsatisfactory, a special team would be invited from Peshawar to investigate the issue, added the commissioner. He also demanded a report on the incident from the mill’s management during his visit there. He added he would not pardon any government official found guilty of negligence.

The commissioner also visited the drain where toxic materials from the mill were being discharged and instructed the irrigation department to carry out a cleaning operation and build a bridge on places used for crossings.

Jadoon said the enquiry committee will hold meetings and record statements of the affected families, farmers and present its findings within two weeks.

However, residents of Ramak village are unsatisfied with the government, claiming the mill’s management are ‘resting’ at a police rest house instead of a lockup while more than a dozen residents are in Parowa police station for damaging the mill and injuring a constable during protests a few days ago.

Meanwhile, members of the district bar held a protest walk from the GPO Chowk towards Dr Abdul Qadir Khan Chowk to express support for families of those who died due to toxic waste discharged by Chasma Sugar Mill.

“Justice should be provided to the victims’ families by punishing those responsible and also provide the families with adequate compensation,” said District Bar Association President Akhter Hussain Qureshi while addressing protesters.

Last week, ten people, including children, died after coming in contact with toxic waste discharged from the sugar mill.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2014.