File photo of the magazine that was engulfed by fire and explosion.
MARGAO
The Village Panchayat of Naqueri-Betul has lodged a complaint against Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd for endangering human lives and for storing high risk substance without any precautionary measures.
The panchayat has warned that the body along with the villagers will protest and also approach the National Green Tribunal for environmental damage if at all the NOC is granted by the Collector without prior NOC from the village panchayat.
A copy of the complaint addressed to the South Goa district Collector has been filed at the Cuncolim police station for necessary action.
Cuncolim police station in-charge, PI Diego Gracias informed that the police have already registered a FIR in the case of fire and explosion that took place at the propellant storage unit at Naqueri, adding that the police would inquire into the complaint lodged by the Naqueri-Betul panchayat.
In the complaint, the panchayat has pointed out that the licence was issued to the company despite objection raised by the panchayat on March 18, 2024.
In fact, the panchayat has said that the Village Panchayat of Naqueri-Betul has till date not issued any permission nor licence to the company for installing and setting up the magazine. “The permission for setting up the magazine had been rejected by the local authority in the panchayat body meeting dated 18/03/2024 on the ground that there are houses and locals are living in the surrounding and it is dangerous to human life and environment,” the complaint said.
The complaint added: “As per the requirement of PESCO at Sr No. 5, NOC from the local authorities is mandatory, which clearly states the NOC from the gram panchayat, Fire Department, Police, State Pollution Control Board is required. The company has bypassed the local body and has not only constructed but also started the operation.”
