Mangaluru: Despite several protests, the III plant of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) continued to outflow oil and waste in a stream, creating panic among the residents of Jokatte, which is in the outskirts of the city.

B H Moideen from Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti, a forum which is fighting against the setting up of III plant of MRPL said the discharge had started late on Tuesday night, and continued through Wednesday morning. “First of all, the water in the surrounding areas has been contaminated. The stream, which emerges at MRPL, has a small check dam where the oil has accumulated. It leads to the river Gurupura,” he informed.

“We have collected the samples. MRPL has taken our pleas and protests to lightly, he said. Although, we do not use the stream water however with time it will affect the groundwater, and eventually our wells, he added.

On Wednesday, oil content was flowing through the stream, which is connected to the lake. The locals alleged MRPL has left wastes from Coke and Sulphur units.

Muneer Katipalla, activist said they would hold another protest to highlight the seriousness of the issue.