Jowai, Aug 3: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Jaiñtia Hills, I. Kharmalki on Tuesday promised a delegation of the Environment Coordination Committee (ECC) to issue an order for the closure of illegal Coke Factories operating in the District especially under Elaka Sutnga of the District.

This decision was made after a public rally organised by the committee which started from 4 Kilo to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner at Khliehriat which was participated by hundreds of residents of the Elaka along with the MLA of Sutnga Saipung Constituency, Shitlang Pale, the chairman of the Committee, DH Malang amongst other public figures from the Elaka.

It may be mentioned here that the Committee has been spearheading the movement against the establishment of illegal Coke Factories in the Elaka and the District and the Factories were established only with a permission granted by the Single Window Agency of the state government.

The Committee has been raising its concerns stating that the presence of about 35 Coke Factories in the Elaka is not only causing an irreparable damage to the environment but also causing health problems to the residents, especially the children.