After months of protest by villagers against the silicon factory, the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court (HC) has directed state government authorities to ensure that M/s Aether Alloys LLP at the Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) in Niglok, East Siang district, is allowed to operate.
The company had filed a writ petition seeking a court direction, as local villagers had been blocking the supply of materials to the factory, citing pollution concerns.
The court’s direction to the state government came after the company alleged that the authorities had failed to maintain public order and ensure unobstructed access to the factory premises.
The local villagers, led by the IGC Pollution-Affected People’s Forum, have alleged severe environmental pollution caused by the silicon factory and had earlier approached government authorities to close the factory or shift it from their area. Citing lack of intervention by the state, the villagers blocked the supply of materials. Both the company and the villagers have accused each other of wrongdoing. The villagers claim that the unit is polluting the area, while the company maintains that it had obtained prior consent from the villagers before the project commenced.
While the case is scheduled to be heard again on 30 April, it is essential for both the villagers and the company to engage in dialogue to find a workable solution. The environmental concerns need to be addressed with sincerity.