Kesri raises alarm over industrial pollution affecting crops and public health in Bishnah

• Demands immediate govt action against contaminated factory discharge, citing rising diseases, crop losses and groundwater concerns

BISHNAH: Members of Shiv Sena Hindustan, under the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir President Pandit Rajesh Kesri, held a public discussion followed by protest in Bishnah Block regarding the severe impact of industrial pollution on agricultural land, crops and human health in the area.

During the interaction, local residents expressed serious concern over the discharge of contaminated water from factories located near villages adjoining Bari Brahmana. According to villagers, the polluted water is damaging agricultural fields and posing a grave threat to public health.

Party leaders alleged that residents in nearby villages are increasingly showing symptoms of serious illnesses, including cancer, kidney ailments and heart-related diseases. They said that despite repeated representations to the Samba district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner, no concrete action has been taken so far.

The villagers stated that farmers are suffering heavy crop losses due to the polluted water released from factories, particularly units manufacturing pesticides and chemical products. They claimed that insurance companies are refusing compensation for damaged crops on the grounds that the losses are caused by industrial contamination rather than natural reasons.

Shiv Sena Hindustan and local residents urged the government to immediately intervene and ensure that factory waste water is either diverted safely into the Badoli Nallah or properly treated through filtration systems subject to monthly inspections. They warned that if timely measures are not taken, the fertility of the land could be permanently damaged, making cultivation impossible in the future.The speakers further claimed that crop productivity in the affected areas has already reduced to nearly 25 percent due to chemical contamination spreading through drains and water channels into nearby villages.

The delegation also highlighted the issue of a tube well installed at Murar Chak for drinking water purposes, alleging that despite being completed nearly two years ago, the water supply has not yet been made operational for local residents. They appealed to the government to regularise and start the supply at the earliest.Among those present on the occasion were Raj Kumar, Baba Balbir Kumar, Sanjeev Sharma, Vijay Luthra, Kamal Sharma, Darshana Devi, Geeta Devi, Gurdev Ji and several local residents.