Jokatte Samiti to protest before homes of People’s representatives

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 11, 2015 :  The Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti members said they will be forced to carry out protests in front of the residents  of the Ministers,  MLAs and the MP if the government failed to take action against the alleged air and water pollution caused by the coke and sulphur recovery units of MRPL - Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.

Speaking to media, Muneer Katipalla from the Samiti said Environment Minister B. Ramanath Rai, Health Minister U.T. Khader and Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports K. Abhayachandra Jain have failed to take note of the concerns of Jokatte residents on the problems caused by the two units. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has also failed to hear Jokatte residents.   Katipalla accused MRPL of continuing to operate the two units despite expiry on June 30 of licence granted by the Karnataka Pollution Control Board. He said a few days ago Jokatte residents had seen black dust settling on houses, apparently emitted from the units. The KSPCB officials were investigating this incident still.

 Katipalla accused city Assistant Commissioner of Police Madan Gaonker of acting against Samiti members at the instance of MRPL authorities.  He said the Samiti will continue its fight against MRPL in front of the Jokatte and Bala Gram Panchayats where some of their members have been elected as Panchayat members.

 MRPL, contenteds that they are following all the necessary norms and have taken steps to prevent pollution from the coke and sulphur units, as per norms laid down by Govt.