GUNTUR: The people of Amudalapalli and Achutapuram in Nizampatnam of Guntur district blocked the road in protest demanding closure of prawn storage and export company alleging contamination of drinking and irrigation water. They alleged that several times, they had taken the issue to the notice of the officials but in vain. Hence, they started the protest. The locals led by U. Kiran squatted on the Nizampatnam-Repalle main road obstructing the traffic.
The protesters lamented that Abad Overseas Private limited company at Amudalapalli was rearing fish and prawn and further processing the marine products in its plant. They alleged that the water in the ponds surrounding the plant, including Amudalapalli and Achutapuram, became saline and further their land turned salty, which was not condusive to cultivate crops.
They alleged that the company is releasing the after-process waste water into the canals and farmlands which is causing health hazards to the public. Their demand that the company take up measures to stop contamination of water for the past two years went in vain and further they went from pillar to post but of no use. They demanded closure of the company with immediate effect and warned of intensifying the agitation.
The police led by Nizampatnam SI V. Someswara Rao rushed to the spot, conducted talks with protesters and assured about taking the issue to the officials concerned, on which the locals of Amudalapalli and Achutapuram called off their agitation.
