Noida: The district administration has issued a notice to 36 residents, asking them why they should not be asked to sign an undertaking to “maintain peace” for six months in the wake of alleged opposition to the waste-to-energy plant in Sector 123.
The notice for signing a bond of Rs 50,000 has come soon after Noida Authority started work on the dumping site and waste-to-energy plant on June 1.
The notice, issued by city magistrate Mahindra Singh, states that he suspects ‘disturbance’ during construction of the plant. The notice also cites police inputs for the decision. According to the police, there was a “tense” situation due to trench construction at the site.
The city magistrate issued three notices each against batches of 21, 10 and 5 residents living in high-rise societies and neighbouring villages around the site, claiming it was a preventive measure to ensure enforcement of law and order.
Meanwhile, residents criticised the move, saying it was aimed at curbing their peaceful protest scheduled for Sunday. On May 26, the district administration had imposed prohibitary orders under Section 144 of CrPC, citing upcoming festivals and competitive examinations as reason.
In one of the three notices sent, a copy of which is with TOI, it is stated that Phase III police station has informed the city magistrate that Raghuvar, a resident of Parthala Khanjarpur, and others have issues with the construction of dumping ground. “The environment is tense and there is high probability of disturbance of peace and tranquillity. I am satisfied with the SHO Phase III’s report, and on this ground, I observe that these parties could be bound down,” the notice said.
The notices were issued under Section 151 (arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences), Section 107 (security for keeping the peace) and Section 116 (inquiry as to truth of information) of CrPC.
Sukhvir Pahalwan, a resident of Sarfabad village, also received the notice. “This is a do-or-die situation for us. I run an ‘akhara’, from where youths have made Noida famous at the national and international level. The waste-to-energy plant will drive away these aspiring wrestlers. Besides, the area is thickly populated and the plant poses a serious health threat. We do not know the Noida Authority’s compulsion to make the plant only on this spot,” he said.
Subey Yadav, a resident of Parthala Khanjarpur, also refused to sign the bond. “The waste-to-energy plant site violates environment laws. We’ll challenge the notice in the district and sessions court soon,” he said.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, OSD, Noida Authority, explained the decision to start work on the waste-to-energy plant was taken after an NGT order. “In October 2017, NGT directed the Authority to construct waste-to-energy plant in Sector 123,” said Singh.
On May 30, the NGT issued a stay on dumping of municipal solid waste at the spot after a plea by residents alleged illegal dumping of garbage there.
B N Singh, district magistrate, said “My first priority is that garbage is disposed properly and the city does not become a dumping ground. Noida Authority has decided a place which was approved by the NGT. If anybody has any point of disagreement, they should approach appropriate authority, NGT or higher court,” he said.
Noida Authority has started work on the dumping site on June 1