Tripura, Gholaghati (Marakpara):
Frustrated by unbearable foul smells and a rising fly infestation, residents of Gholaghati’s Marakpara area took matters into their own hands on Sunday afternoon and shut down a local poultry farm that had allegedly been built and operated in an unscientific and unhygienic manner.
The poultry farm in question, known as Tripureshwari Poultry Farm, was originally inaugurated on December 25, 2019, by the then Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma and Minister Santana Chakma. However, the facility remained inactive shortly after its launch and was eventually abandoned.
Shockingly, the farm was resumed a few months ago without the knowledge or consent of residents. Operated by 6-7 individuals allegedly linked to the ruling party, the facility lacked any proper waste management system. According to residents, chicken waste, excrement, and rotten eggs were left untreated, leading to an outbreak of flies and a pervasive stench across the area.
Locals have reported a surge in health issues, particularly among children and the elderly, with diseases suspected to be linked to the unhygienic conditions created by the farm. Despite repeated complaints to the farm authorities, no steps were taken to resolve the growing sanitation crisis.
“We had no choice. For weeks, we’ve been living with closed doors, using mosquito nets indoors to shield children from the flies. Finally, we locked the poultry farm ourselves,” said a resident.
The residents demand immediate intervention from district administration officials to ensure the area is cleared of the foul smell and disease-carrying flies. They’ve also warned that if the authorities fail to take prompt action, they will be forced to explore alternative protest measures.
The incident raises serious questions about environmental safety, regulatory oversight, and public health in rural Tripura.
