Panaji, Aug 28 (IANS): A Vedanta Resources-owned company has been asked to shut down for 48 hours its coke oven plant in Goa's mining belt by the pollution control authority.

The action against Sesa God Ltd (SGL) at Navelim, 40 km from here, was taken by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) after villagers called for a strike in the village.

Soot emitted by the unit was polluting the village, sarpanch Gopinath Gawas said.

Levinson Martins, member secretary of GSPCB, said the company has been asked to desist from all activity for the next 48 hours.

"A notice has also been sent to the company because of the soot which has been generated due to malfunctioning of the diesel burners," Martins told IANS over telephone.

Martins said the SGL had not followed provisions prescribed at the time consent for operations was granted.

"When they respond to the notice issued by us, we will know what they have to say. Any decision will only be taken after they respond," Martins said.