Mangaluru: The tall wind breaking sheets, which the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Vaman Acharaya suggested Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) to adopt to avoid particulate pollution did not go down well with the Nagarika Horata Samiti, Jokatte. The Samiti activists supported by DYFI State President Muneer Katipalla in a press meet demanded closure of the units instead.
Addressing the press Katipalla said “We snubbed the installation of 20 ft tall wind breaking sheets as it would not end the pollution menace.” The wind sheet was just an eye wash to subdue the voice of protesters. Though, for the Horata Samiti filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) would be the last option due to financial constraints, the fight till finish will not be compromised.
The officials of the district pollution control board have not submitted the report of samples picked up from the vicinity of the Coke and Sulphur units to the district administration. This shows, how genuine the board was, Katipalla alleged. He said a complaint has been filed in the Pandeshwar police station. The police has registered a complaint of attempt to murder of locals and asked the General Manager of the MRPL to explain.
When this reporter asked whether the Samiti accepts installation of wind breaking sheets offered by the company to check pollution, Katipalla said, the locals were not happy with the remedy. He informed that the people were united in one voice to close down the units and relocate it to other places. He alleged MLA Abhayachandra Jain was following up the matter after he shot a letter to Chief Minister of the state, in which, the minister claimed pollution has been posing a threat.
He said officials of the MRPL should be booked and jailed. The Samiti on March 10 will stage a protest. The students of the place along with the activists of Samiti will be a part of the demonstration at the entrance gate of Coke unit. Katipalla expressed moving the court would be the last option as they suffer a fund crunch, but the fight outside the courts.
