People have been staging protests against Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) for two years MRPL oil refinery has a coke and sulphur plant, which is causing air and noise pollution The police have booked Jokatte residents staging protests against MRPL as rowdy-sheeters
Four persons, who have been active in the fight against the Coke and Sulphur unit for two years now, have been booked as rowdy-sheeters by the Suratkal police.
The booking is even more strange when considering the fact that not a single incident of violence has been reported during the two years of protest against MRPL.
No public property has been damaged, nor has anyone been injured or killed. Still, the complaint against the protesters says they have instigated fights and riots.
One more interesting fact is that the protest was held at Panabmbur police station limits. But they have been booked as rowdy-sheeters by Suratkal police inspector Cheluvaraju.
The protesters have claimed that the inspector has come under the influence of the multi-national company and is supporting its administration by trying to suppress the protesters.
About MRPL:
MRPL is an oil refinery situated in Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. It was established in 1988 and is a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC).
Five villages - namely Bala, Kalavar, Kuthetoor, Katipalla and Adyapadi - were displaced to set up the refinery.
Around 800 families reside around the MRPL. The company also has a coke and sulphur unit on the premises.
The residents have repeatedly complained of ill-health due to pollution (air and noise) caused by these plants.
Especially the residents of Jokatte village - which is just 100 meters from the plant - have been staging protests for two years now, demanding the closure of the coke and sulphur plants.
