The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Residents demand shifting of Biocon insulin plant

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Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Residents demand shifting of Biocon insulin plant

Staff Reporter

People of Hebbagodi allege groundwater is polluted
Cattle reported to be dropping dead frequently

BANGALORE: Alleging that the insulin plant of a biotechnology company in Hebbagodi was contaminating groundwater resulting in the death of several animals, members of the Hebbagodi Grama Panchayat and Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike on Wednesday demanded that the plant be relocated to a non-residential area.

Sundarappa, a member of the vedike and president of the JD (U) Bangalore Urban District, told presspersons that the people of the villager were put to hardship as the effluents from the insulin plant of Biocon Ltd. contaminated the groundwater forcing them to stop cultivation.

“Animals in Hebbagodi and five surrounding villages that are dependent on groundwater are dying. We are unable to cultivate our land. Nearly 145 private borewells and 45 government borewells have been contaminated and the water is not potable. We demand that the plant be relocated to a non-residential area,” Mr. Sundarappa said.

He appealed to the other non-governmental and women’s organisations to join their struggle.

Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat member V. Rajanna said that the vedike would hold a dawn-to-dusk protest demonstration in front of the Biocon company from December 2 to 9.

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