Mangaluru: The heat of irk of natives at Jokatte over MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited) pollution row would be experienced by Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. The DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla informed Newskarnataka.com that locals would Gherao the minister on Sunday while he visits MRPL.

The sources from the MRPL confirmed that Pradhan will be visiting the unit on Sunday April 5. However there was no clarity on details of visit. The source said a press brief would be released in connection to the visit on Saturday, April 4.

Muneer Katipalla stated locals under the banner Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti would stage a protest during minister’s visit. Though there were series of requests made by the locals to relocate the Coke and Sulphur units as it was generating massive dust and water pollution in the region, MRPL had not budged. It could be recalled that Horata Samiti organized various demonstrations against MRPL for quelling the right of locals to live in clean environment.

Katipalla reiterated the protests would be carried out to make the minister understand the plight and views of the locals. “Coke and Sulphur units should be shut down.” He expressed there were no options for the MRPL than closing down as the latter company has put lives of the residents at risk.