Kannur: The 85-day long protest by a section of people from Ramanthali village in front of the Indian Naval Academy under the banner of Jana Aarogya Samrakshana Samithi (JASS) against INA’s sewage treatment plant (STP) came to an end on Wednesday as the INA authorities agreed to their demands.
On Tuesday evening, INA commandant Vice Admiral S.V. Bhokare along with deputy commandant Rear Admiral M. D. Suresh and station commander Commodore Kamalesh Kumar held a meeting with protesters in a bid to resolve the ongoing concern of groundwater contamination.
Following the meeting, on Wednesday morning the protest was officially ended by giving lemon juice to K.P. Parameswari, who was undergoing hunger strike.
The INA’s sudden move came at a time when the Chief of Sri Lankan Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne is scheduled to visit the Academy on Saturday for reviewing Passing out Parade (POP).
During the meeting, Vice Admiral Bhokare informed the protesters that it had hired a reputed consultant recognised by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to audit the functioning of the entire plant and support services.
The treatment method will also change into a decentralised system which would enhance the efficiency of the plant.
After the terms were agreed and the INA issued a press release, a miscommunication happened about the conditions which resulted in a blockade of the INA gate Tuesday night. It was solved immediately.
JASS volunteers held a victory rally and a public meeting in Ramanthali town.
