Villagers protesting a waste-disposal plant in Rishikesh have accused public representatives and the administration of ignoring their complaints after first information reports were registered against demonstrators. They said the action was intended to suppress their demand for relief from the plant’s foul odour.
The protesters said they have been holding a demonstration for 2 months. According to them, the smell from the waste plant has made life difficult in nearby areas, with some tenants beginning to vacate their rented homes. They said the situation was causing both mental distress and financial loss for local residents.
Protest at the MLA’s camp office
The villagers expressed their anger at the camp office of the local MLA. They said their concerns were not being heard and that legal action had been taken instead of a solution being found to the odour problem.
Local representative Satya Kapruwan said the protesters had remained on the sit-in for 2 months. He alleged that the concerned minister had neither contacted elected representatives nor visited the protest site during that period.
Kapruwan said villagers were booked after demonstrating to press for their rights. He warned that people would respond at an appropriate time if attempts continued to silence their voice in a democratic system.
Activist questions support during the movement
Social activist Pukhraj Singh also criticised the role of some people involved in the campaign. He alleged that certain individuals publicly presented themselves as supporters after the waste plant was locked during the agitation, but withdrew when protesters moved to surround the MLA’s camp office.
Singh claimed that some people had backed the villagers mainly to strengthen their vote-bank politics. He said their withdrawal at a decisive moment had caused anger among residents.
The claims about the plant’s odour, the impact on tenants and the motives of people accused of withdrawing support were made by the protesters and their supporters. The available report does not include a response from the concerned minister, MLA, police or plant authorities.
Conclusion
Villagers continue to demand action over the alleged foul odour from the waste-disposal plant, while the registration of FIRs has intensified their dispute with the authorities and public representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long have the villagers been protesting?
The villagers said they have been sitting in protest for 2 months.
Q. What problem are the protesters raising?
They are objecting to the foul odour allegedly coming from the waste-disposal plant.
Q. What impact do villagers say the odour has had?
They said nearby living conditions had become difficult and that some tenants had started leaving rented homes.
Q. Why did the protesters gather at the MLA’s camp office?
They went there to express anger over the alleged lack of attention to their complaints and the registration of FIRs against demonstrators.
Q. What did Satya Kapruwan say?
Kapruwan said the villagers’ concerns had been ignored and warned against attempts to suppress their democratic voice.
Q. What allegation did Pukhraj Singh make?
Singh alleged that some people showed support during the agitation but withdrew when protesters surrounded the MLA’s camp office.
Q. Has a response from the authorities been reported?
The available report does not include responses from the concerned minister, MLA, police or plant authorities.
