MARGAO
Saying that the Cuncolim Industrial Estate has become a hub for crimes and industrial accidents United Goans Democratic Party President Dr Jorson Fernandes has urged the police to conduct a thorough inquiry into the death of the security guard in one of the units.
He pointed out that Cuncolim citizens have time and again come out against pollution in the industrial estate, having expressed anguish over the care-a-damn attitude of GSPCB. The PCB has failed to conduct soil, water and air ambient tests in the surrounding areas of IDC to estimate the quantum of pollution level, he added.
“There have been rash industrial accidents due to poor safety audits and pollution of groundwater and other water bodies. Recently there was ammonia gas leakage and now we have a sad case of a death of a security guard under mysterious circumstances,” he said.
Dr Jorson said Cuncolim citizens have apprehensions if the police will undertake a proper, impartial investigation into the death of the security guard.
“Cuncolim Citizens believe that the government failed to control pollution and disposal of hazardous waste. The authorities turned a blind eye to the sordid ongoings in the estate. Only a few factories are registered with the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers. If they have managed to escape punishment it is because the industrial units have been flouting the laws albeit with the blessings of the higher-ups,” he added.
On behalf of the Cuncolim citizens, Dr Jorson appealed to the DGP not to fall prey to the unwarranted pressures from the ruling political dispensation and its masters and instead carry on with his duties and responsibilities in an impartial, neutral manner.
