Mangalore: Farmers of four villages today opposed acquisition of their lands for the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) during a public hearing held by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) here.

Coming down heavily on the attempts by authorities to acquire lands forcibly, the farmers of Permude, Yekkaru, Soorinje and Delanthabettu urged CPCB members not to recommend the establishment of proposed MSEZ. The farmers also opposed the proposed Petroleum, Chemicals, Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) maintaining that it would pollute water, air and even sea.

Raitha Sangha leader Sunny D Souza told CPCB members that if you want to go ahead with the project, give cyanide to all farmers and do whatever you want". BJP MP, Manorama Madhwaraj said there was no need for SEZs in coastal belt. Farmers objected to the CPCB hearing views of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kumble Narasimha Prabhu who was present at the hearing. Dr R P Garg, Dr Shivaswamy, Dr Senthilvel, Dr Manjappa and Dr M M Kamath, the CPCB members, conducted the hearing.

Source : PTI