Community leaders and activist groups in Mangaluru are pressing for a thorough, independent investigation into a series of accidents at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) facility, following recent fatalities and persistent safety concerns. They accuse the company of negligence leading to worker deaths and demand accountability from state and central authorities.
Shashiraj Kolambe, convener of the Anti-MRPL Struggle Committee, specifically called upon the central and state governments, along with the district administration, to examine all accidents that have occurred within the company to date. He urged for decisive action against those found responsible and insisted that MRPL implement essential preventative measures to avoid future recurrences. Highlighting the recent loss of "two precious lives" due to alleged MRPL negligence, Kolambe demanded prompt distribution of announced compensation to the victims' families.
Advocate Daniel Devaraj echoed these sentiments, expressing public dissatisfaction with the police department's current investigation. He revealed that MRPL's Managing Director notably failed to attend the final rites for Rajesh, one of the deceased. Devaraj insisted on immediate compensation for Rajesh's family and advocated for an investigation led by a central-level independent team. He stressed the need to probe all past tragedies and casualties at the plant, noting that letters on this matter have already been dispatched to relevant departments and the Prime Minister. Devaraj issued a stark warning: if adequate steps are not taken to prevent future incidents, farmer associations, villagers, and the public will collectively lay siege to the MRPL Managing Director's residence.
Satyajit Surathkal, President of the MRPL-MSEZ Contract Workers' Union and MRPL Victims' Struggle Committee, characterized the explosion in MRPL's third phase as a "human-made disaster" for Dakshina Kannada district. He alleged that this incident, like many previous ones resulting in deaths such as Naveen and Keshava, stemmed directly from MRPL's carelessness. Surathkal further condemned alleged attempts to silence public representatives through the provision of CSR funds, asserting his strong opposition to such practices.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK