Mangalore: All is Not 'Well' - Fire in Gregory Patrao's Plantation, MRPL Claims Foul Play
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Mar 25: In a strange incident reported from Permude near Bajpe on Sunday March 25, a well belonging to progressive farmer Gregory Patrao caught fire under mysterious circumstances.
It is learnt that Patrao's family had stopped using the water of this well a week ago as it was contaminated and its colour had turned black. The well is located on his plantation.
Patrao informed the police that he had switched on the kerosene pump in the well at around 9.20 am on Sunday. Within a few minutes fire sparked from the pumpset, and to everybody’s suprise, the fire engulfed the water in the well. It is said that leakage of crude oil from MRPL in the vicinity added oil content to the well water. The fire also spread to trees and other plants around the well. The fire was on till around 3.30 pm, it is said.
The pump set has been completely charred. Surathkal police and MRPL officials rushed to the spot. It is learnt that MRPL officials assured Patrao of taking action.
Foul Play?
However, a press release from MRPL states that the fire was deliberately lit in the MRPL-acquired land. The land had been acquired by MRPL for its phase 3 project. The incident allegedly occurred when someone set fire to the hydrocarbon accumulated on top of the open well located in the land. The source of this fire and how it happened awaits investigation.
The security and fire and safety personnel were not allowed to enter the land and only with police intervention, safety personnel of MRPL could enter and douse the fire, the release stated.
It also added that the land is illegally occupied by Gregory Patrao who has already taken compensation for vacating the land.
"He continues to occupy MRPL land as a trespasser, despite the court orders and the order Issued by the chief minister for his evacuation, based on the report of divisional commissioner from Mysore, M V Jayanti, who conducted a detailed study of his case, including site visit," the release stated.
"In the past MRPL had to relocate the Polypropylene unit which was supposed to come up on the land in question and had planned to put up the tankages required for Phase III project. However, MRPL is unable to proceed with the installation of the tankages, due to continued illegal stay of Patrao family and the same is seriously hampering the upcoming phase III project progress," stated the release.