Emission of 'poisonous gas': Farmers ransack factory

The mob damaged the furniture, computers and also broke the glass panes of the visitors’ room, administrative block and the clinic situated in the factory premises. A fire tender stationed inside the factory was also not spared by the villagers. On Friday around 9:45 pm, villagers complained of uneasiness after inhaling the gas emitted by the factory.   Soon women and children ran out of their houses for safety. Even villagers of neighbouring villages-Korihundi, Kanakanagar, Kathwadipur, Handuvinahalli and Debur crossed the river Kapila to save their lives. Many of them complained of giddiness and vomiting.

On receiving the information, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajagopal, Circle Inspector B Pramodkumar and other staff rushed to the spot and pacified the villagers. The villagers returned to their houses around 1 am. On Saturday, a peace meeting was held in which the villagers of Kallahalli and representatives of the factory manager participated. The villagers demanded immediate shifting of the factory or relocation of the entire village.

Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation Chairman M Mahadev visited the factory and expressed his unhappiness over the lack of safety measures in the factory.