Shillong, July 2: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has strongly condemned Meghalaya Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla over his remarks on the pollution crisis in Byrnihat, describing his response as “casual and irresponsible” amid growing concerns over industrial pollution in the area.
In a statement issued on Thursday, HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem said the Minister’s claim that no formal written complaint had been received regarding the issue reflected a “shocking lack of seriousness and sensitivity” towards the health and safety of residents living in and around Byrnihat.
The organisation said pollution in Byrnihat is a long-standing issue and not one that the government can claim to be unaware of. It alleged that the area has, for years, been affected by toxic air, industrial emissions and environmental degradation caused by unchecked pollution from factories operating in and around the industrial belt, including an ethanol production plant.
According to the HYC, residents continue to suffer the consequences of deteriorating air quality while the government remains inactive, relying on procedural technicalities instead of addressing pressing environmental and public health concerns.
The Council further stated that it was unacceptable for the Health Department to wait for a formal written complaint before assessing the health impact of the pollution. It argued that with the issue already receiving widespread public attention and repeated reports highlighting worsening environmental conditions, the government should have acted proactively to protect public health.
Demanding immediate intervention, the HYC called on the Meghalaya Government to take strict action against factories found violating environmental norms and contributing to air pollution that poses a threat to human health.
The organisation said the people of Byrnihat and neighbouring areas deserve clean air and a government that stands with them rather than, according to the HYC, one that appears to protect polluting industries through silence and inaction.
The HYC also warned that if the government fails to take urgent and effective measures to address the pollution crisis, it would be compelled to launch appropriate action against both the government and industries responsible for what it described as a “man-made environmental and public health crisis.”
