Madikeri: The asphalt and cement mixing plant, which operated in Echur Kunda village under Hathur gram panchayat in Ponnampet taluk for many years, has adversely affected the health of the locals, villagers complained.The villagers alleged that it also caused pollution and staged a protest on Monday. The villagers, led by former Hathur gram panchayat president Gummattira Darshan Nanjappa and BJP district vice president Gummattira Kilan Ganapathy, staged a dharna.The village panchayat earlier decided not to renew the licences of the units due to opposition from the villagers. Accordingly, the Hathur gram panchayat did not issue an NOC to renew the licences of the units. Despite this, the villagers expressed their dissatisfaction that the asphalt and cement mixing units were being operated.If the unit is not closed, a complaint will be filed with the Gonikoppal and Virajpet tahsildars. The protesters warned that they will protest in front of the DC office if the taluk administration does not take action to close the mixing unit. Gonikoppal SI Pradeep arrived at the protest site and requested that they withdraw the protest.After the protest, the villagers met the MLA of the constituency, AS Ponnanna, at Virajpet. As per the demand of the villagers, the Congress MLA went to the asphalt mixing plant and discussed the matter with the villagers and the officials. Virajpet DSP and other officials were present at the time. Decisions regarding the issue will be taken shortly, the villagers disclosed.
