Itanagar: Hundreds of villagers from seven villages in Ruksin in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district staged a protest rally on Wednesday (June 25), demanding the relocation of a silicon factory operating in the Niglok Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) to a more environmentally suitable, non-residential area.
Protesters claim the factory is causing severe air and water pollution, posing significant health risks to residents.
The demonstration saw participation from Ruksin ZPM Aruni Jamoh, representatives of the AdiSU, members of various community organizations, and a large number of women. They gathered at the Niglok IGC playground before marching to the Ruksin General Ground to voice their concerns.
The villagers alleged that the silicon factory operated by M/s Aether Alloys LLP is causing air and water pollution, thereby posing health hazards to residents of the surrounding villages and adjacent areas of Ruksin sub-division.
United under the banner of the ‘IGC Pollution-Affected People’s Forum’, the protesters had previously submitted a complaint to the East Siang deputy commissioner, urging intervention for the relocation of the “hazardous silicon industry.”
Protesters also accused the company of flouting several provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, and called on government agencies to take punitive action.
The issue caught the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took suo motu cognizance after a local newspaper report highlighted the environmental damage allegedly caused by the factory.
In response to complaints from residents, State Industries Commissioner Saugat Biswas, along with senior officials from industry, trade & commerce, and skill development departments, visited Niglok IGC in April this year.
Officials reportedly assured that directives would be issued for pollution level assessments and that steps would be taken after pollution tests by technical experts.
Despite those assurances, residents claim that the government is yet to implement any concrete pollution control mechanisms.
Forum president Opir Paron later submitted a petition to the Chief Minister via the Ruksin Additional Deputy Commissioner, demanding swift action to relocate the silicon unit.
The forum also called on the state to stop allowing polluting industries in the IGC, dismantle stone crushers already operating there, encourage the development of agro-based units, and establish green zones around the industrial area to protect the local ecosystem.
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The forum has warned the government of continued agitation if their demands are not addressed by the authorities concerned.
