Toxic wastes from JNIMS pollute compound of Central Dairy Plant
'Poison in your milk ?' poser haunts Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03 2025: A shocking discovery has come to light at the Central Dairy Plant at Porompat, Imphal, where biomedical and chemical waste from the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital have been dumped.

It is reported that the site where toxic waste has been lying abandoned for over 3-4 months is only about 100-200 meters away from the area where machines and other equipment of the dairy plant are installed, and about 100 meters away from the cattle feed, which was inaugurated by former Chief Minister N Biren Singh on August 10, 2021 .

Toxic wastes from JNIMS pollute compound of Central Dairy Plant

This outrageous act has raised serious concerns about the safety of the milk produced at the milk processing facility and the potential environmental and health impacts.

Notably, the Central Dairy Plant, which falls under the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, processes dairy products under the brand name "Chumthang Dairy" .

As locals complained of a foul smell coming from the dairy plant complex, this reporter visited the site and witnessed an extremely unpleasant scenario with piles of colored plastic bags containing various types of biomedical and chemical waste, including human anatomical and animal remains lying abandoned there.

The garbage piles are approximately 4-5 feet high.

According to well placed sources, the yellow bags contain radioactive human and animal anatomical waste, soiled waste, expired or discarded medicines, chemical waste and micro, biotechnological and clinical waste while the red bags contain contaminated medical supplies such as tubes, bottles, intravenous tubes and sets, catheters, urine bags, syringes (without needles) and gloves.

Moreover, the dumping site for biomedical and chemical waste is alarmingly close to Modern College's swimming pool and drains flowing into Khurai Assembly Constituency and Premi Khong which passes through JNIMS and ultimately falls into Kongba River.

The dumping of toxic waste at the milk processing facility raises concerns not only about the environment, but also about the hygiene and safety of the dairy products.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Malemnganba, a student of Modern College, questioned how JNIMS could authorize the dumping of toxic waste in such an unethical manner.

Saying that the improper disposal of biomedical and chemical waste poses significant health risks, he urged the relevant authority to look into the matter and take up necessary actions.

A farmer from Kongpal said that some of his cattle became sick after entering the dairy farm campus.

He appealed to the authorities to address the issue promptly to prevent further harm.