Farmer Spent The Past 16 Years Studying Law Just To Sue Company For Polluting His Home
Now that's real dedication.
By John Lim — 08 Feb 2017, 10:46 AM
Fueled by anger and determination, a Chinese farmer spent 16 years studying law by himself so he could sue a chemical company for allegedly polluting his home
Wang Enlin, who only had three years of education, spent the past 16 years suing Qihua Group, a state-owned enterprise, for dumping chemical waste on farmland in his village in Heilongjiang, according to the Daily Mail.
Qihua Group is one of China's biggest corporations, with assets amounting to 2 billion yuan (RM1.29 billion).
Wang claimed that Qihua first dumped hazardous wastewater near Wang's land in 2001, preventing him from growing his crops
Wang, in his 60s, lives in the Yushutun village on the outskirts of Qiqihar in the Heilongjiang Province. The area thrives on farming and crops.
He claimed the water began leaking into his house during the eve of the Lunar New Year when he was busy playing cards and celebrating with his friends and neighbours.
Qihua has reportedly released 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of annual chemical waste from a polyvinyl chloride plant. The waste, in both solid and liquid form, also contaminated the water in a nearby lake.
The determined Wang then started studying law and searching for ways to fight for the rights of himself and his fellow villagers
"I knew I was in the right, but I did not know what law the other party had broken or whether or not there was evidence," he said.
Initially, he was forced to copy out information by hand in a bookshop, paying the store's owner in sacks of corn. He started receiving free legal advice in 2007, after half a decade of solo study, and finally filed a legal petition.
But it wasn't an easy task. Due to complications, the court was only able to process his case in 2015.
The wait certainly paid off - as the court has ruled against the Qihua Group, awarding 820,000 yuan (RM528,000) to Mr Wang and his neighbours.
However, Wang may face a further fight as the corporation has filed for an appeal.
"We will certainly win. Even if we lose, we will continue to battle," a determined Wang said as quoted by the Daily Mail.
