Anger is mounting among residents of Kamrangabari village under Gournagar Gram Panchayat in Kailashahar of Unakoti district after children reportedly fell ill from consuming expired bottled soft drinks left along a public road near a newly constructed rural sub-health centre.
According to local residents, large quantities of expired bottled soft drinks have been dumped outside a privately owned scrap processing unit located adjacent to the Gournagar Sub-Health Centre. Villagers allege that children picked up the bottles from the roadside and consumed the drinks, resulting in several of them becoming ill.
The scrap yard, which deals in discarded iron, plastic and glass materials, has reportedly been operating for several years. Residents claim that scrap collected from different parts of Unakoti district is brought to the facility, where it is sorted, crushed into smaller pieces using heavy machinery, packed into sacks, and transported to other states for recycling.
Villagers, however, have accused the factory owner of creating severe inconvenience and posing health and environmental hazards to the entire locality.
They alleged that heaps of scrap materials are routinely left on the roadside, obstructing pedestrian movement and traffic. Old vehicles are reportedly parked along both sides of the road throughout the year, while broken pieces of iron, plastic and glass remain scattered across the roadway, leading to frequent accidents.
One of the most serious allegations concerns a roadside drainage channel that previously carried rainwater from the village. Residents claim the drain has been blocked for years with scrap materials dumped by the factory, preventing proper water drainage and causing widespread waterlogging during the monsoon.
The recent dumping of expired bottled soft drinks has further aggravated public concern. Apart from the reported illnesses among children, villagers said the decomposing beverages emit a foul odour, making it difficult for residents and passers-by to use the area.
Residents also complained about excessive noise pollution caused by the factory’s machinery, saying the loud sounds make it difficult to remain indoors while the equipment is in operation.
In addition, villagers alleged that scrap materials are burned two to three times a week to extract copper and iron, releasing toxic smoke that affects the entire village and forces residents to stay indoors.
Despite the factory being located beside the Gournagar Sub-Health Centre, villagers alleged that the local Gram Panchayat and the administration have remained indifferent and have failed to take any action.
They further claimed that attempts to raise the matter with the factory owner have been met with hostility and abusive behaviour.
Some residents also alleged that the factory owner enjoys the backing of an influential leader of the ruling party, which, according to them, has enabled the unit to continue operating without facing administrative action. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
The aggrieved villagers have demanded immediate intervention from the district administration, removal of the expired soft drinks and scrap materials from the roadside, restoration of the blocked drainage system, and strict action against those responsible for the alleged public health and environmental violations.