Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru(MD)

Mangaluru, Dec 3: Residents of Jokatte observed a half-day bandh on Wednesday, December 3, demanding closure of sulphur and coke plants functioning at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical Limited (MRPL).

As part of the bandh, residents of Jokatte and surrounding villages came out to the streets and took part in the procession from the Jokatte railway gate to the Gram Panchayat situated right behind MRPL. They shouted slogans against the plants and claimed that the two new plants were causing air and noise pollution.

Later, the residents led by Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samithi called off the bandh at 2pm after the Panchayat agreed to hold Grama Sabhe, a village moderation meeting in the presence of higher officials on December 7 at 10 am.

B.S Hussain, convener of the samithi revealed that bandh has been called off and said "The additional deputy commissioner has asked to submit a report about MRPL’s mistreatment. Government should respond to our demands very soon without testing our patience."

Social activist Muneer Katipalla asked the concerned authority not to ignore the people as it is directly affecting the health. "The locals of Jokatte have been facing lot of pollution from the sulphur and coke units and they have done lot of protests. The district administration has not responded to their pleas. However from the past two days, MRPL has sought the help of police and started their work again. MRPL should stop all their work until our demands are fulfilled. This protest is not the end. We will continue to demand our right to live until they respond. We will break the law if it is necessary." Muneer said speaking to reporters.