Panagarh, Mukesh Tiwari: of West Burdwan Kankasa police station (Kankasa police station, On Tuesday, outside the iron factory located in Baskopa Industrial Area of the area, local villagers held placards and expressed their protest against the pollution spreading from the factory. The women of the village also participated in the demonstration. As excitement and tension increased, police reached the spot and took control of the situation. The villagers allege that the entire village is affected by the pollution spreading from the said iron factory. Due to factory pollution, skin diseases, eye diseases and respiratory diseases are increasing in most of the village people. Regarding this complaint, residents protested in front of the private sponge iron factory.
Police from Kankasa police station were present on the spot to control the tension.
Police from Kankasa police station was present there to control excitement and tension. According to the villagers, the people of the entire village are suffering from the poisonous smoke and ash of this private sponge iron factory. Besides, agricultural crops are also being negatively affected. There are problems in fish farming. Even skin diseases, heart diseases, eye and stomach related problems are also coming to the fore. It is alleged that due to pollution it has become difficult to go out of the house. Villager Dhananjay Rai complains that while the villagers are suffering due to pollution, the local people are not even being given work in the factory.
Outsiders are being hired instead of local people
Outsiders are being hired instead of local people. Complaints have been made to the factory officials several times in this regard, but to no avail. Last year also the local people had agitated. Pollution had reduced somewhat for a few days. But after a few months the situation became the same again. The villagers said that if the factory management does not take immediate action in this regard, a big agitation will be launched. It is told that a few days ago also the local villagers had protested in front of the gate of this factory demanding work. Today villagers along with their families protested against pollution. Despite efforts, comments from the factory management have not been received in the matter.