Mangaluru: A large number of students in Jokatte staged a demonstration in front of the coke unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemincals Limited (MRPL) on Tuesday.

The protest was a part of the continuation series of demonstration done by Nagarika Horata Samithi, Jokatte, demanding the closure of coke and sulphar units in the MRPL phase III, which is accused of polluting the region.

On Tuesday, several students belonging to at least four schools marched from Jokatte Panchayat office to the coke unit entrance.

“The black dust particles from these MRPL units settle on our midday meals. Many of my classmates were reported sick often due to exposure of such particles. We are affected by the sound of coke and sulphar units. It’s creating health related issues. It should be closed down”, one of the students said.

However, the official spokesperson of the company denied pollution from its units and maintained that safety parameters were being monitored strictly.