I have observed the constant inconvenience to people’s joy, and the danger to health of old, young, children and adults.

Is it not absolutely amazing that when the fire lovers light their fires they always do it in a manner never to inconvenience themselves? They care nothing about others and their neighbors’ happiness and good health.

A certain lady in Atlantic Gardens usually lights fires aback her residence near the canal. I sent her numerous letters, she would never cease. Her smoke gets into our curtains – our children cannot study, and guests cannot enjoy our beautiful landscaped gardens and compound. The smoke gets into our homes, smells up the furniture, and gets absorbed in the curtains and our best clothes. After threat of a court action she ceased for a while, but started again. One day, a next door neighbour to her, lit a huge fire (usually it would bombard us in Atlantic Gardens), but the mercy of the wind took it to the lady I am speaking of. In minutes it engulfed her entire home and compound. She was choking frantically and called out her next door neighbour to stop the fire. Since then, no fire from her, and we have some peace from her.

Several other people in Happy Acres make it a ritual to clean and burn because the wind takes it away from them and make our lives miserable. A former Minister’s gardener was doing this for years. I dropped a letter for the gentleman when he was a Minister, but he told me he never got it. The gardener stopped for a while, but soon began again, lighting at nights, so when we awake in the mornings, the fresh dewy air of the atmosphere is gone, and we get a hot stale haze and scent of burnt bush. I approached the former Minister and this honourable gentleman, as he always is, did the proper thing and ended it. A few days ago, a neighbour to him was either burning tyres or plastics and sent dark, pungent and poisonous aroma in our compounds of citizens of Atlantic Gardens for hours. Three similar looking homes in Happy Acres just near the canal are always guilty of setting fires, despite my repeated lodging of verbal and written complaints.

Several times I pass the stretch by Turkeyen, whenever the grass is being cut; the proprietor set fires, causing misery to lives of the citizens living nearby. I pity those people. The Government should size these lands if the owners cannot make use of them or only use them to torment lives and create health hazard.

Like noise nuisance, the perpetrators of these horrendous acts think it is their democratic rights to make noise and light fires whenever they want. The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs has to direct the Police and/or Fire Department to take complaints and place charges against the culprits who think only of themselves and their comfort.

In a noise nuisance matter I have before the court, the defendant wanted to settle so he can make noise again. I offered him the opportunity that he must be my guest from 8pm until the show is finished. I would provide swimming facility, meals, and a comfortable air-conditioned and self-contained room. He never accepted the offer, as he leaves the site when the music gets hot, from 8 to 9pm. He had told me this. This is the reality of hypocrites, who think nothing of ill people, little babies, studying children and adults, and old people who served this nation – people who need peace, quiet and comfort. They need the freedom to enjoy the fertilising wind and atmosphere.

For fire nuisance makers, and for noise makers, there is zero tolerance.

Citizens of Atlantic Gardens are most grateful to the Police Commander of Cove & John for conducting a thorough investigation in the matter of noise and its destructive influence in the area. It is hoped that proper action is soon taken. We can supply a copy of the report of the EPA, which exposes the noise level as double and more than allowed by the Bureau of Standards, and which clearly can be used in Contempt of Court proceedings, which we are now considering, in view of the fact that the proprietor of the location is advertising more shows on Oct. 30 and 31, in absolute disregard of the court proceedings and the restraining order. The proprietor has already been charged along with a promoter, yet he insists on making more noise. How cruel can some people be?

Anyone affected by noise can report it; the police are committed to stop the noise and once a statement is given the police will charge them. People must be fearless and know they are the boss; the people are in charge. Citizens sometimes forget this. It is you who vote, it is you who pay the taxes.
ROSHAN KHAN