KOCHI: The protests by the locals against plywood factories in Perumbavoor are gaining momentum with the residents of Shalem and Chundamalappuram in Vengola panchyat may initiate an indefinite fast. The decision was taken after protests heated up a few days ago with 36 people arrested for preventing the construction work of a plywood manufacturing unit in Chundamalappuram.Protestors alleged that the owners of the factory had acquired construction permit by showing the plan of a residential building and that the licence was given without consulting all the members of the panchayat.Another plywood manufacturing unit which is coming up in nearby Shalem is also drawing wide protests from locals.“The residents of Shalem and Chundamalappuram have seen the horrible environmental problems created by these factories in the Kuttippadam area.The people there are unable to live as the factories emit toxic substances like formaldehyde.We do not want the same situation to be repeated here.All that we ask is to be allowed to live in a peaceful and pollution- free environment,” said K V Mathai, a member of the action council against the construction of plywood factories in the area.“We have been protesting against these constructions for the past several months.At first, the company owners sent goondas to beat us up.When we continued unfazed, they sought police protection.We have given innumerable complaints and filed so many petitions against this to the authorities concerned.The action which followed each complaint was of a pro-plywood factory nature and it caused more distress to us,” he added.However, he said that the action council is yet to decide on when to start the indefinite fast as the panchayat has planned to conduct a meet on Tuesday.Meanwhile officials concerned washed their hands of the issue stating that there was nothing wrong with the certificates acquired by the factories.“The company has already acquired all the required clearance certificates.There are no residential settlements within a 125 metre radius of the factories.They are being constructed in strict adherence to the prescribed norms.That itself shows that the people who lead these protests are politically motivated or driven by other underlying reasons,” said M M Avaran, President, Vengola Panchayat.Express had earlier reported the issues faced by Perumbavoor residents because of the effluents let out by the hundreds of plywood manufacturing units.
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