In a bid to curb the increasing attempts of dumping waste in public places, the Shadow police wing has strengthened their vigil in the city. Last week, two persons who attempted to dump waste brought in a truck to the Kozhikode Beach were netted on the spot and cases were registered.
Officials attached to the Shadow police wing said they would be able to make effective intervention as chances of identifying them in public places would be difficult for the offenders. Arrangements would be made to place Shadow police officials in identified spots where waste dumping was continuing uninterrupted, they added.
Though several measures had been initiated earlier to prevent the open dumping of waste along link roads and other public places, many were escaping from the law as the strict legal action was not forthcoming. From now on, people caught red-handed from the spot would be taken to the nearby police station and fined. Earlier, various residents’ associations in the city had appealed to the City police to strengthen legal action as the offenders were polluting environment with non-degradable and toxic waste. Several associations had erected wayside boards warning against dumping.
“With constant campaigns and surveillance of residents’ association, the illegal dumping of waste by local people has largely come down, but people from outside the city continue to be a headache,” Sanal Kumar of Eranhipalam said. For many, drainages and corners of various link roads were the favourite dumping spots during night, he said.
Although the City corporation is empowered under the municipal Act to impose fine on offenders, the law is rarely enforced. “A major reason is that they will not be able to trace the offenders. Often, the cleaning staff of the Corporation would be compelled to clean,” N. Sajeevan of Athanikkal said.
Offenders
to be fined
Residents’ forums had complained
to police
