Mangaluru: Several residents of Jokatte under the aegis of Nagarika Horata Samithi on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board in Baikampady Industrial Estate.

The demonstration was part of a continuous protest against Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited for the alleged air and water pollution from their coke yard and sulphur recovery units operating in phase 3 area.

Muneer Katipalla said that the residents of Jokatte and the surrounding areas are bearing the brunt of coke yard. The black dust from the sulphur recovery units and the continuous smell, which is emanating from MRPL is causing a health hazard. The board, which supposed to control pollution has kept  quiet after issuing them two notices, he added.

“The board is bowing to the pressure and inactive. We do not want it, if the Board renew licenses for the operation of two units that comes to an end by July”, he said.

B.S Hussain, convener of the samithi said that the board has not taken any visible action against MRPL, although Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan heard the problems of residents during his recent visit. The district administration is yet to form the committee headed by Deputy Commissioner to consider acquisition of properties affected by air pollution from the two units, which was promised earlier, he added.
Later, the board said that they have issued notice to MRPL and are awaiting for their reply.?