Members of the action council formed against the alleged pollution caused by the Kitex company at Kizhakkambalam said the recent press meet by Sabu M. Jacob, managing director of Kitex, was an attempt to avoid stern action from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
Addressing the media here, the action council members said the local residents of Choorakode-Chelakulam areas in Kizhakkambalam have been protesting against the extensive pollution caused by the company in the last 100 days.
The council alleged that the company not only discharged effluents in to the Periyar valley canal and paddy fields in the neighbourhood, but also consumed water to the tune of more than eight lakh litres per day.
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The company has sought four months’ time to install a system to clear toilet waste generated within its premises. Nearly 6,000 persons are employed by the company, the action council members said.
The press meet and threat to shift the company were made to divert the attention from the existing environmental pollution issues, they alleged. Rights activists would visit the area and conduct a site inspection in the coming days, they said.
P.M. George, chairman; Eldho Paul, secretary; P.M. Abdurahman, convenor; and T.P. Yousuf Ali, member of the action council, were present at the press meet.
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CPI appeal
Meanwhile, CPI State secretary Pannian Raveendran has urged the Chief Minister and Industries Minister to initiate talks to settle the issue at the Kitex unit in Kochi.