DIPHU, July 6 - The Karbi Youth Development Organization (KYDO) has appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong for conducting thorough chemical examination of fishes, vegetables and fruits sold in Diphu market.
The organization while claiming that inoculated fish and other products are being sold in the market called for the district administration to carry out lab testing. It added that State minister Pijush Hazarika has already set the trend.
The memo has expressed apprehension that some vendors are using a chemical called calcium carbide (CaC2) for synthetically evolving fruits, which contain arsenic and phosphorus, both fatal for human life. CaC2 is a known carcinogen � an agent having the ability to alter human cells into cancerous cells. This chemical is forbidden in many countries, including India but it is being used across the country to mature fruits like mangoes, watermelons, bananas, etc.
It may be mentioned here that Nagaland has prohibited storage, distribution and sale of fresh fish products, including crustaceans (crab, lobster, shrimp or barnacle), treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives for a period of three months or till corrective measures are taken. Manipur has banned the sale of iced-packed fish imported from other States after traces of formalin were found in the fishes a few days back.
Meanwhile, the All Assam Students� Union, Diphu regional committee has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong Mrinal Kumar Mahanta for implementation of Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 and to make mandatory presence of pharmacists in medical stores as per Pharmacy Act, 1948 under section 42.
The AASU has claimed that violation of both the rules is common in pharmacists all over the district, and around 95% pharmacies violate the rules and many pharmacies are not even registered with the authority. AASU also appealed to the authority concerned to take action against pharmacies and chemists who are flouting the law, within three days.
