Mangaluru (The Hindu): The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has urged the State government to immediately rescind the land acquisition order in favour of Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd., (MRPL) for its proposed Phase IV expansion.

In a statement here on Wednesday, DYFI State President Muneer Katipalla said the government has accepted Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd.’s demand for another 1,050 acres of land in Permude, Yekkar, Surinje, Thokur, Baikampady and surrounding villages for the expansion project.

He said residents of Mangaluru taluk have lost vast extent of land in a phased manner for various industries, including three phases of MRPL, Special Economic Zone and others.

Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd has miserably failed to fulfil its promise of providing employment to the local youth or those who have lost lands for the project, he said.

On the other hand, products of Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd, violation of pollution control norms and setting up production units close to residential areas have aggravated the living conditions of the residents of surrounding areas due to unbridled environment pollution, Mr. Katipalla alleged.

Ground water has been polluted and residents have been suffering from increased health risks, he added.

The land sought for further expansion have dense population as well as agricultural plots and are not at all suitable for industrial purpose.

Since further acquisition of land could lead to multiple problems, the government should drop land acquisition proceedings, Mr. Katipalla urged.