The Fact News Service
Zira ( Ferozepur ), December 17
Today, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal had talks with the protestors at Zira, for a meaningful solution, after the meeting with the 11-member committee at Chandigarh on Friday late evening at Chandigarh, with the Chief Minister in a very harmonious atmosphere. CM had appealed to the representatives of the committee to cooperate for a permanent solution to the problem and assured to accept all their legitimate demands.
5 Committees formed of different departments on protestors’ demand
Appeals to residents to move dharna 300 m away from factory as per High Court orders
Added here, the protestors have been sitting in front of the factory since July 26 – for the last five months demanding the closure of Malbros International Private Limited, an alcohol-making unit at Mansurwal village of Zira assembly segment in Ferozepur. Apparently, there was no move of the local administration or police to forcibly move the protesters from the main entrance of the factory, but heavy police force was deployed during the last two days, causing apprehensions of the action. However, the Deputy Commissioner, Amrit Singh had a number of times asked the protesters to shift the sit-in dharna 300 m away from the factory by not creating any hindrance for entry and exit of the employees working there.
In the meantime, the Punjab government has also deposited Rs.15 crore as fine imposed for the loss to the factory by the Court.
While addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister, Dhaliwal said that the Punjab government is completely serious about protecting the land, air, water and the entire environment of the state and the welfare of the people of the state. He said that the Punjab government will not take any decision against public interest. He said that last evening the Chief Minister had a very meaningful discussion with the representatives of the committee and all came to the conclusion that all the demands placed by the committee will be accepted and for this one month’s time is required. He said that we all should obey the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
He further said that on your demand, the Punjab government will constitute five committees to investigate the entire issue, including the Legislative Assembly Committee, the Agriculture Department Committee, the Gadvasu University Committee for livestock investigation, soil investigation and other issues in which the representatives recommended by the local people will also be included.
Dhaliwal said that these committees will be completely free to conduct tests from any lab in India and will be bound to submit their report within one month. He appealed to the protestors to move their protest 300 meters back from the factory till the reports of these committees are received, as per the orders of the High Court in this regard.
Apart from others, JaskaranSingh, IG, Singh, DIG, Kanwardeep Kaur, SSP, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Sagar Setia, residents of the area and leaders of the struggle committee were also present.
