Silchar, Aug. 22: The regional office of the state Pollution Control Board here has set September 2 as the deadline for removing illegal khatals (cattlepens) from the town as part of its planned move to ensure a pollution-free atmosphere.

The owners of the sheds must remove the structures which have mushroomed over the past few years.

K.K. Dutta, senior environment engineer of the board, said heaps of cowdung and mud around the 50-odd illegally-constructed cattlepens in the town had not only become an eyesore but were also a health hazard.

He said the decomposed dung which was piling up daily could breed diseases.

The Cachar district administration has given the go-ahead to the board to forcibly remove these illegal cowsheds in a bid to restore the beauty of the town.

According to a source in the Silchar Municipal Board, there are 2,500 milch cows and buffaloes in these sheds that have sprung up in the residential areas and commercial hubs of the town.

Dutta warned that cowshed-owners who did not abide by the order to bring down the illegal structures would face imprisonment upto six years or a fine of Rs 1,000 for violating the penal provisions under Article 15 of the Environment Protection Act and Article 43 of the Water pollution Control Act.

Wokha bandh

The Lotha Students? Union has called a 12-hour Wokha district bandh from 6 am on Tuesday in protest against the deteriorating power situation in the district despite the fact that the 75 MW Doyang power project is located in the district.