The Kerala Government on Thursday ordered suspension of operations at the factory of the State’s chemical PSU, Kerala Minerals and Metals limited, at Chavara, Kollam after two incidents of gas leak in two consecutive days from it causing hospitalisation of a total of over 100 students of two schools near the unit after they showed symptoms of gas poisoning.
The State Home Department ordered a probe by A Hemachandran, Additional DGP of the Kerala Police following suspicions of sabotage behind the two chlorine gas leaks against the background of a petition pending before the National Green Tribunal against KMMl, manufacturer of titanium dioxide and other chemicals, regarding alleged pollution.
The director of the Factories and Boilers Department under the Kerala labour Ministry ordered closure of operations of the unit till the investigation was over. labour Minister Shibu Baby John, who represents the Chavara Assembly constituency where the unit is located, said there was something mysterious about the gas leakages on two consecutive days.
On Thursday, over 50 students of a school near the KMMl factory were admitted to two hospitals after they developed varying symptoms following the alleged gas leakage. Sixteen of the students were admitted to the intensive care units of two hospitals for treatment and observation. An experts’ panel will also inquire into the gas leak incidents, as per a decision taken at a meeting convened by Minister Shibu Baby John in which KMMl authorities and district officials participated.
A team of doctors from State capital Thiruvananthapuram will reach Chavara to examine the gas-hit students.
As many as 57 students were hospitalized on Wednesday morning after chlorine gas leaked from the tank of a unit of the KMMl factory which the PSU authorities said had been plugged successfully. Schools in the Chavara area will remain closed till Monday as investigations are on, according to authorities.
The gas leakage on Thursday which led to hospitalization of school students triggered protests from the local people who took out marches to the factory and blocked National Highway 47 in front of the industrial unit, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge. Wednesday also had witnessed protests in front of the KMMl factory.