JSU opposes music festival near civil hospital in Ialong Village

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 16, 2025

The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), Jowai Circle, has voiced strong opposition to a music festival scheduled to be held near the Civil Hospital at Ialong village in West Jaiñtia Hills District on May 23. The union cited violations of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and raised concerns over public safety, emergency medical access, and lack of regulatory oversight.

In a statement, the JSU said after meeting with the Additional Deputy Commissioner of West Jaiñtia Hills District, it was discovered that she was unaware of this festival and had no information on whether proper permissions were obtained for the event. This raises serious concerns about how such a large gathering was approved without official knowledge or proper oversight.  

Hosting a large-scale festival with loud music near a hospital not only disrupts patient recovery but also creates major traffic congestion, which could delay emergency medical services, it said adding that the Civil Hospital Ialong serves numerous patients in urgent need of medical care, and any obstruction caused by the event may prevent ambulances and emergency vehicles from reaching the hospital on time, putting lives at risk.  

“Additionally, we condemn the Tourism Department for collaborating to host such an event without considering its impact on public health. Events of this scale must be held at appropriate venues where they do not violate silent zone regulations, disrupt hospital operations, or endanger patient well-being,” the JSU said.

“We call upon authorities, including the local headman, district administration, Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, and other responsible officials, to immediately intervene and relocate the event to a more suitable venue, ensuring that public health and safety remain the top priority,”it added.