Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SK)
Mangaluru, Jan 17: Social activist M G Hegde and locals of Pacchanady area staged protest here at Mangalajyothi on Tuesday January 17 against Pachanady dumping yard fire incident where locals faced health issues due to thick smoke spread across Pacchanady and other surrounding areas.
Addressing the media, Harish Mangalanagara, a local resident said, “I am living here since many years. There is a problem of smoke every year. We have not been given any permanent solution. People die due to health problems. Even though MLA Bharath Shetty is a doctor, he has no humanity. He has not sent the health department to visit the spot. We are facing this problem every year, but they are not ready to take a step to stop this. They themselves set fire, so that the corporators make a profit of 50% each from the many grants passed to solve this issue. The Mangalore City Corporation is earning money through this and even the next year, they will set fire here, the same way. But the citizens are not asked about their problems. On Friday January 6, the fire erupted at Pachanady dumping yard. Firefighters reached the spot at 5 pm. By then the fire had spread all over. Now they have placed firefighters just to fool the people, but they are not proceeding with any developments. In one week, 2 people died due to health problems. No one is worried about the problems we face. We want permanent relief from this issue.”
Social activist M G Hegde said, “Every year, the problem repeats. Science and technology is developing at a faster rate. Why are they not able to give a proper solution for this problem? These leaders are threatening the students not to attend the protest. They should be ashamed of what they have done. When there are some fights taking place on the streets, all these leaders visit in large numbers. They do not have time to come and visit the people who are facing problems due to their irresponsibility. You cannot threaten all MLA Bharath Shetty. We are not afraid of your threats. Mentally retarded children at SDM School are also facing health problems. Do you not have any humanity? Why cannot you provide proper facilities for them? They can solve this problem, but they do not do it due to their greed for money. MLA Bharath Shetty, you are a doctor. You should show some humanity. If this problem remains unsolved, we will be going for a protest in front of MLA Bharath Shetty’s residence. This is an open challenge. We will not block any roads for our protest even though we had to beg for permission for the protest. We want a proper solution for this problem. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has to visit the spot and the local houses which are in crisis. This is all happening because of the carelessness and irresponsibility of MLA Bharath Shetty and all the corporators. The government has to give funds for the treatment of people who are facing health problems.”
Harini Thiruvail, the ward committee member said, “Waste is brought to Pachanady dumping yard from various places. They should have decentralised garbage management in their own place. MLA Bharath Shetty has taken action against this. As he is a doctor, he should have humanity. We have elected him because he is a qualified candidate. We expected him to work for people. If no action is taken against the problem, we will protest in front of his house.”