Mangaluru : The Nagarika Horata Samiti members in association with DYFI and Residents of Jokatte, Kalavaru and surrounding areas organised a protest rally holding brooms in hand held (porake pradarshana) in front of Mangalore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Limited office near Urwa Stores here on Monday Dec 22.

The protesters holding brooms in their hands from Kottara Chowki walked though the streets up to SEZ office and they urged that the Sulphur and Coke units of MRPL at the SEZ should be shut down.

DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla said that though the Sulphur and Coke units of MRPL have been polluting the water resources and air in the region, people’s representatives including ministers from the district are not responding to residents’ demands. “Our demand is to shut the operations of Sulphur and Coke units of MRPL, which pollute the environment. We demand the district administration to wake up and act against the units,” he said.

Muneer accused that the authorities of Mangaluru SEZ are trying to suppress the protestors with the help of police. “Criminal cases have been booked against those who speak against injustice on part of the company. We warn the SEZ authorities that police cases will not hamper the protest. This brooms protest is only symbolic and the nature of our agitation will be intensified if our demands are not met,” he added.

Samiti convenor BS Hussain said that water in wells and other natural resources have been polluted due the industry.

DYFI district vice-president BK Imthiyaz said that the fight against injustice will continue till demands are met.