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The protesters alleged that the UPCL is not maintaining the safety measures in its plant. They said that the UPCL is not following any of the preventive steps as assured to the government.
According to the safety measures, the waste water should be processed and released to sea through pipelines. Farmers alleged that the contaminated water is being leaked to the paddy fields in the surroundings.
The protest was led by Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon and District JD(S) President Deviprasad Shetty. Forwarding a memorandum to DC Hemalatha through AC B Sadhashiv Prabhu, the farmers alleged that the contaminated water remains stagnate in the paddy and other plantation fields, incurring huge loss to the farmers. The agriculture fields have become waste land and the wells in the surrounding areas have become contaminated.
Deviprasad Shetty said that the protest is taken out as a symbolic gesture. “We have given 10 days time to the Company to solve our problems or else we will intensify our protest. Nagarjuna Company has given false information to the government. The Government is mere puppet in the hands of the Company. The Government requires power, hence it is nodding its head for whatever the Company assures.”
The Official of the Company informed the farmers that owing to the damages in the pipelines, the waste water got leaked into agriculture fields. Measures have been taken to repair the damages and henceforth all precautionary measures will be taken to prevent such leackage, he said.
Speaking to media persons, AC Sadhashiv Prabhu said that he will bring the matter to the notice of Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha. If needed, the Pollution Control Board will be asked to inspect the entire project for the second time. Shortcomings will be corrected. A sum of Rs 1 lakh has been distributed among 9 farmers families as compensation.