Lathi-wielding guards to control waste dumping in Zika-hit areas

JAIPUR: Lathi-wielding guards have been deployed to thwart garbage dumping in Shastri Nagar area, which is the worst Zika-affected part of the city. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has posted guards in the Zika-affected Shastri Nagar. From 6 in the morning to midnight, they remain alert and do not allow anyone to throw garbage on roads and streets.

"I have been doing my duty here at Housing Board of Shastri Nagar for protecting the area from those who are habitual of throwing garbage on streets," said Suresh Mangal, a JMC guard deployed at Housing Board near Bhatta Basti police station area.

With so many Zika cases reported from Shastri Nagar area, the state government is taking measures to keep the area clean. Since it is a densely populated area, the heaps of garbage can be seen easily. However, in the past five days, the JMC has stepped up efforts to keep the area clean. "When someone comes to throw garbage in polythene, dustbins or any other containers, we politely ask them not to throw it here. If they do not understand the message, we take help of the residents of the area to persuade them. The residents of the area are also helping us," said Mangal.

Besides, another such guard Himmat Singh said, "We remain here till 3pm and from 3pm till midnight, another guard comes here to join the duty."

The guards are deployed in where people dump trash, forming heaps of garbage. State government has directed JMC officials to take all measures to keep the Zika-affected area clean and also to conduct fogging to kill mosquitoes preventing the spread of the disease.