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Vizag gas tragedy: Venkatapuram villagers protest near LG Polymers plant

Vizag gas tragedy
Vizag gas tragedy

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Published : May 9, 2020, 10:19 AM IST

Updated : May 9, 2020, 12:36 PM IST

12:31 May 09

Tension at LG Polymers plant in AP as villagers protest demanding its closure

High tension prevailed at the LG Polymers at RR Venkatapuram village near here as irate villagers staged a protest on Saturday demanding immediate closure of the plant.

The protesters placed two bodies of the dead in front of the factory main gate as part of the agitation while some youths barged into the plant even as state Director General of Police D G Sawang was inspecting the vapour leak spot and talking to the management on the measures taken to restore normalcy.

The bodies were brought to the village for cremation on Saturday from the KGH mortuary after post-mortem.

The angry villagers, however, stopped the ambulances in front of the plant gate and laid the bodies on the road. Emotions ran high as the villagers demanded that the plant be shut down immediately as it completely ruined our lives.

The police posted near the plant for security duty tried to prevent the villagers from going near the plant but the latter broke the security cordon and staged a sit-in protest near the factory gate.

Police initially took some of the protesters into custody and whisked them away but scores of others entered the scene subsequently.

At one point, many of the villagers barged into the plant through a small entrance gate and one woman was seen falling on the DGP's feet and pleading that the unit be closed forthwith.

A stumped Visakhapatnam police commissioner R K Meena directed his officers and men to drive out the villagers from the factory premises, following which police necked them out.

11:33 May 09

Villagers demand CM Reddy to visit them

Chief Minister should visit our village

Villagers protesting near the LG Polymers company demanded that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy should visit the village and monitor the situation. The villagers also expressed anger over some hospital authorities who were charging fees for their treatment. 

11:28 May 09

Andhra Pradesh DGP, Gautam Sawang

Andhra Pradesh DGP, Gautam Sawang: "The situation is under control and there is no need to panic, the investigation is underway and we will wait for the report. The company LG Polymers is also cooperating with us."

10:14 May 09

Vizag gas tragedy: Venkatapuram villagers protest near LG Polymers plant

Venkatapuram villagers protest near LG Polymers plant

Visakhapatnam:Venkatapuram villagers started protesting near LG polymers Company where the gas leak incident happened at Visakhapatnam. 

Locals raised slogans against the LG polymers industry. Protesting villagers are being detained by the police. 

The Styrene gas leak killed at least 12 people and hundreds more complained of breathlessness and a burning sensation in their eyes.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated from residential areas within about a 2-mile radius of the plant, according to reports.

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday wrote a letter to requesting a scientific probe into Vizag gas leak incident. Naidu has asked for the constitution of a Scientific Experts' Committee to enquire into the gas leakage and the circumstances that led to the release of toxic vapours/gases.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to LG Polymers, Union Environment Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and others regarding the incident. The NGT has also directed LG Polymers, India, at whose plant the gas leakage occurred, to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 crore taking note of damages caused due to the incident.

Meanwhile, the state government has sanctioned Rs 30 crore as ex-gratia and financial assistance for the victims of the Vizag gas leak incident. It has also said that Rs 1 crore will be paid to the kin of the deceased victims.

Last Updated : May 9, 2020, 12:36 PM IST

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