The Punjab well being division committee probing allegations of air pollution in opposition to the liquor manufacturing unit in Zira on Friday suspended its survey citing ‘misbehaviour’ with its members by villagers.

Later within the night, members of the Sanjha Morcha, Zira, once more introduced to boycott probe committees, accusing them and the Punjab authorities of being biased.

The well being consultants’ panel, one of many 4 groups shaped by the Punjab authorities to look at the fees of alleged air pollution by Malbros International Private Limited, an alcohol-making unit at Mansurwal village of Zira in Ferozepur, additionally flagged non-cooperation by the protesters.

“The team comprising three experts from Chandigarh and one from Bathinda examining health issues in the area near Malbros factory in collaboration with local health teams got the survey of the area done for the suspected cancer cases in 44 villages. The representatives of the protesters had on Thursday asked to organise medical camps in 18 villages. However, none of them came forward for arrangement of these medical camps and later withdrew the support. Also, few persons misbehaved with staff of the medical team at Ratol Rohi village,” stated Dr Gagandeep Singh Grover, assistant director, division of well being and household welfare, in a communique to Ferozepur civil surgeon, copy of which was additionally marked to secretary, well being, apart from Ferozepur deputy commissioner and extra DC.

“The health committee has decided that the activity of the medical camps be suspended as of now as the exercise is useful if the unions also participate. It was also decided that the resources should not be wasted and camps should be made operational only if the unions cooperate with the health teams. It was also decided that the data of survey done by accredited social health activists and multi-purpose health workers for suspected cancer cases will be analysed and a report will be submitted to the government by January 10, 2023,” the letter learn.

Additional DC Sagar Setia stated, “Our animal husbandry teams, along with representatives of Sanjha Morcha, collected 22 samples. Three labs — each in Patiala, New Delhi and Lucknow — have been identified and soon, their representatives will collect samples from the vicinity of liquor factory. Sampling of the soil will be done on Saturday,” he added.

Sanjha Morcha, Zira, in the meantime, in a letter addressed to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, stated, “Sanjha Morcha feels that the intentions of your government and probe committees are allegedly biased and bent upon to give benefits to factory owner. Moreover, your government has not cancelled the police cases registered against farmers, neither initiated any action against factory owners for allegedly eliminating proofs of pollution from the area, nor registered a murder case against liquor factory owner. We boycott the probe by the committees or any such investigation.”

Sanjha Morcha member Sandeep Singh confirmed the boycott introduced by them.

Meanwhile, variety of agitators elevated in entrance of liquor manufacturing unit with Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) chief Balbir Singh Rajowal becoming a member of the protest alongside along with his supporters.