Hariprasad Nandalike

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Jul 25: Villagers in Kanjarkatte here held protests against sack manufacturing factory alleging inadequate disposal of waste. They alleged that drain water from the factory flows to their cultivation. Hundreds of villagers submitted a memorandum to the officials of the factory on Thursday requesting to set right the problems faced by them.

The panchayat administration and locals stated that the waste water let out by the factory flows in roadside drains causing problems to cultivation land, public wells and Nagabana.

Inna gram panchayat president Babita, vice president Kusha R Moolya, members Deepak Kotian, Allen D’ Souza and others submitted a request on behalf of the panchayat. District panchayat member Reshma Uday Shetty, Uday Kumar Shetty, Chandrahas Shetty and others sent another request. Besides letting out trash and waste water, the arrogant behaviour of factory workers, harassment of girls, spread of epidemic because of drain water and trouble by mosquitoes were mentioned in the request.

Ravikala Shenoy, Deepak Kamath and Appu Poojary expressed their grievances. Official Ganesh Pai who received the request, accepted their faults and assured of setting them right. Company’s Anil, Mahendra Gandhi and Avinash assured that they will take action to prevent difficulties to the villagers.

Hundreds of angry people had gathered to hold protests. The protests were restricted to submitting requests after Padubidri police personnel said that there is no permission for protests. The quick action by Padubidri police in the nick of time set aside the anxiety. However the protesters warned of large scale protests if the factory does not take suitable action.