Villagers confront pro-factory group ahead of KSPCB chief’s visit

Photo: Villagers of Hirebaganal in Koppal taluk confronted a pro-factory group ahead of the visit of KSPCB chairman on Friday, leading to heated argumentsKoppal: Tension prevailed in Hirebaganal village of Koppal taluk on Friday ahead of the visit of PM Narendraswamy, chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), who was scheduled to inspect villages affected by industrial pollution.Hirebaganal is among nearly 20 villages facing problems due to pollution from industries in the region and is said to be among the worst affected. The KSPCB chairman's inspection programme was planned to begin from the village.Ahead of the visit, the district administration, with the indirect support of industries, carried out hurried cleaning operations from early morning. According to resident Hanumanthappa Kuri, more than 30 workers cleaned roads, public places and the school ground, while water was sprinkled on roads to reduce dust.Meanwhile, some industry representatives reportedly brought a few people from the neighbouring pollution-hit village of Kasanakandi to Hirebaganal to present a request before the KSPCB chairman, seeking support for factory expansion and new industries, citing employment opportunities.Hirebaganal villagers confronted the group, leading to heated arguments. Residents said those from outside were unaware of the problems faced after land was given for industries. They alleged that pollution had caused hardships to schoolchildren, women, pregnant women and livestock.Facing strong opposition from villagers, the women and contractors who had come in support of the factories left the village.Basavaraj Pujar, a resident of Kasanakandi, said excessive industrial pollution had severely affected people, livestock and agriculture. "The toxic environment has increased health problems and made life difficult for farmers. Under no circumstance do we want any more factories here," he said.Several organisations, including the District Bachao Andolan Samiti and the Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike, have been staging an indefinite protest for the past 124 days demanding control of industrial pollution and opposing factory expansion. Abhinava Gavishiddeshwara Swamiji of the Gavi Mutt has also raised concerns over pollution.MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal recently visited Hirebaganal twice to assess the situation, while MLC Hemalatha Nayak raised the issue during the legislative session.Against this backdrop, KSPCB chairman PM Narendraswamy decided to survey the affected villages.KSPCB chairman takes official to task during field visitThere was a brief tense moment during the visit of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman PM Narendraswamy to Koppal on Friday when he reprimanded a departmental official and reportedly called him an ‘idiot'. Narendraswamy had arrived to inspect areas affected by industrial pollution in the district. While hurrying to proceed to the next location on his schedule, the official who was expected to brief him and guide the visit was not immediately present. Irked by the delay, Narendraswamy pulled up KSPCB assistant director YS Harishankar and reportedly asked why the next location had not been shown to him quickly, calling him an ‘idiot'. However, Harishankar did not respond and proceeded to guide the chairman to the next inspection point.