KARIYAPATTI
“If people are not able to save their land for their life and livelihood, their life becomes meaningless,” said veteran Communist leader R. Nallakannu.
Addressing a protest organised to press for closure of a biomedical incinerator at A. Mukkulam near here, Mr. Nallakannu said it was the responsibility of people and political parties to safeguard the land for the livelihood of the locals and for the safety of the next generation.
“The medical incinerator (established by Ramky Energy and Environment Limited) was causing air, water and land pollution. It poses a threat to the life of the local people,” he said. He wondered how did the administrators allow the unit to function though it did not have the mandatory clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act after the National Green Tribunal ordered for it.
He said huge incinerators where medical waste and e-waste were dumped would pollute air, water and land. “This is not an industry for development. It is a huge waste dump yard,” he said.
Several people had died due to kidney problems, which were not like heart diseases that could be managed. “It requires huge money to maintain minimum health condition of the patients and poor rural people cannot afford this,” he said.
Likening the pollution caused by the incinerator to the Bhopal gas tragedy, Mr. Nallakannu asked who would guarantee the safety of the people in 20 villages. “Even when people are opposing the first unit, the very attempt to give permission for the second unit at the same place only proves that the officials think that the rural masses are unlettered,” he said.
He said that the CPI would support the efforts of the villagers in closing down the incinerator.
Former Tenkasi MP P. Lingam, former MLAs T. Ramasamy and K.K. Sivasamy, CPI (M) functionary V. Murugan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katch functionary M. Mullaivendan and State coordinator of Makkal Urimai Maiyam Vanchinathan were also present.
