Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Oct 24: The official spokesperson of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has levelled allegations against the Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti (JNHS), claiming that the protests against phase III units were motivated and vested interests are largely at play to gain employment under Mangalore Special Economic Zone.
On the other hand, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state president, Muneer Katipalla condemned the spokesperson’s statements and told daijiworld that they were holding agitation against the company with the sole intension of protecting the lives of people in the area. "We do not need any science experts to corroborate the evidences of blatant environment degradation coupled with violation of rules by the MRPL," he argued.
However, the MRPL spokesperson, who did not want his name to be revealed, targeted JNHS led by DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla and decried media reports on the alleged pollution caused by the MRPL at Jokatte. "The reports published in sections of the media is misleading and damaging to the credibility of the company," the representative alleged.
"The people who have launched anti-MRPL movement have eyes on getting employment tactfully by claiming pollution. Not a single place has been polluted by the MRPL. The deterioration in the condition of the lake is due to the storm water drain, not by the company's activities," he claimed.
The spokesperson further added that the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) constantly monitors the area in and around MRPL. "The board has collected the water samples of the open wells and the lake. Due to some vested interests MRPL's name has been used for wrong reasons to malign the company," he said.
Katipalla questioned why the MRPL has not followed the 35% afforestation norm. He also alleged that locals, from whom the land had been purchased, have not been given jobs as promised, and thereby cheated by the company. He said the present protest against the company had nothing to do with the issue of employment. "We are holding protests to protect the lives of the people," he added.
He also pointed out that there was no environment pollution and health related issues before the commissioning of sulphur and coke units at Jokatte. "The lake was clean and it was only after the company initiated the functioning of the units that health issues cropped up. The pollution of open wells and the lake are visible to the naked eyes. The KSPCB has unholy nexus with the company, and has readily issued a favourable report to MRPL," Katipalla alleged.
Muneer said that the MRPL employees working inside the unit had expressed environment and health concerns to him personally. Moreover, the construction of road to the units has hindered the flow of lake water.
He informed that the JNHS would stage a massive protest in early November in front of MRPL. "Though the spokesperson offered to survey the polluted areas with me, I declined saying there was no need to go with the company to spot pollution," he said.