Sajha Morcha continues to protest for permanent closure of  Liquor Factory at Zira

Sajha Morcha continues to protest for permanent closure of  Liquor Factory at Zira

Ferozepur, May 15, 2024:  The Sanjha Morcha Zira who have been sitting on dharna, for the last about two years,  in front of Malbros Liquor Factory Zira and protesting for the permanent closure of Malbros Liquor Factory at Mansoorwal village in Zira, to save the water and environment of the area.

Earlier, they had also put up a banner to boycott all political parties, stating neither should any political leader come to Sanjha Morcha Zira nor can they use its name for political agenda.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had ordered the immediate closure of a liquor distillery and ethanol plant in Ferozepur’s Zira after a nearly seven-month-long agitation by locals and farmers who alleged that the unit was polluting groundwater in several villages and causing air pollution.  But formally, it is yet to be closed.

Farmer leaders Raman Brar and  Fateh Singh said, Our dharna has been continuing since July 24, 2022, and we wanted to meet the CM during his election campaign at Zira which falls under Kahdoor Sahib constituency, but we were detained by the police and we have registered our protest today in front of the factory by burning the effigy of the Chief Minister.

The leaders said the environmental issues are missing from the agendas of the political parties, to control the increasing air, water and environmental pollution.  Merely stating the closure of the factory would not suffice; it would be better if it is officially closed, after following the legal procedure, failing our protest would continue.