People of Hirebettu protest against construction of CCCL unit

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 22, 2012: The people of Hirebettu, on June 21, Thursday, organized a protest against the construction of CCCL’s ready-mix concrete unit in Kanchinabailu, a place in Hirebettu, on grounds that it will pollute the village.

The protestors say that Hirebettu has fertile agricultural land and most of the people depend on agriculture for a living. The cement water flowing from the unit will destroy paddy, coconut, jasmine, and arecanut plantations in the village, they say.

Besides, air pollution and discharge of cement water will lead to disease and death in cattle, they say.

Speaking on the occasion, Vasanth Salian, former MLA, said that the company has not got the permission of the Hirebettu Gram Panchayat for the construction of the unit. Upendra Nayak, member of the ZP, said that the company must shift its unit to an industrial area in Manipal or somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Laxminarayana, regional secretary of CCCL, and another company representative informed protestors that the company will respect their sentiments and act as per the decisions of the GP.

Sharath Shetty, president of Hirebettu GP, said that the company has agreed to shift the unit far away from the village.