An environmentalist attached to the action council
said they would seek the support of leading social activist Medha Patkar.
An action council of people constituted to campaign
against ship-breaking activities in the State has decided to turn its focus on
Beypore, where a unit of Steel Industries Kerala Limited (SILK) is going to
dismantle Asian King, an old Japan-made oil tanker ship, which was bought to
the breaking yard on Tuesday by a Tuticorin-based steel company.
Action council leaders, who were so far concentrating
on the closure of the Azhikkal ship-breaking unit, said that they would launch
an indefinite protest against SILK at Beypore till it withdrew from the move.
“We have already enlisted the support of leading
environmental organisations, fishermen’s unions and human rights organisations
to sensitise people to the issue and stop the highly polluting attempt,” they
said.
Rajesh Warier, convener of the action council, said
the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had already made it clear that
it would not approve any more ship-breaking ventures in the State.
Against orders
“If SILK is facilitating such a venture, it will be a
clear violation of all the standing orders, including a recent verdict from the
Supreme Court,” he said.
Mr. Warier said that the action council leaders would
meet District Collector C.A. Latha urging her to issue a stop memo against the
ship dismantling project as it was “initiated illegally and will cause serious
pollution problems and health hazards to the residents.” He said that in case
of any delay in action, the council would launch strong protests by
interrupting the work.
Medha’s support
An environmentalist attached to the action council
said they would seek the support of leading social activist Medha Patkar.
“She is expected to attend a convention in Kannur
district on October 22 and we will invite her to Beypore for strengthening our
agitation,” he said.
The dismantling of the 35-year-old ship would begin
at SILK yard in two weeks. “The verification of all the records related to the
ship and its crew has been completed and there are no technical hurdles to stop
the process,” they said.
Source: the hindu.
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