Cuddalore, 25 April 2011: Attempts to reopen Shasun Chemicals were stopped by the protests of angry villagers in Kudikadu panchayat in SIPCOT Cuddalore. Noticing activities in the factory in the night of 22 April about fifty villagers blocked the gates of the factory on the morning of 23 April. The villagers demanded stop work at the factory pending investigations into the last monthÂ’s Bromine gas leak. They also demanded action on the top management of the unit for illegally operating the unit. According to the sources, company called the local police to intervene and the police mediated between the unit and the villagers. Upon assurances that the concerns of the residents would be addressed in a few days by the management and the factory will not reopen until then the crowd dispersed.
The residents of Kudikadu panchayat are currently holding a village meeting to discuss the next steps in their campaign against Shasun Chemicals.
Last month about 300 people from the Kudikadu panchayat were affected when Bromine gas leaked from the unit.
Read previous story here:
- Gas leak at Shasun Chemicals injures more than 65 persons; Angry residents block road, demand closure of the Unit
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