Essar Power MP Ltd seeks FIR over damage of ash dam

Essar Power MP Ltd (EPMPL) has filed a police complaint against two individuals and other "anti-social" elements, seeking registration of FIR against them for "damaging the ash dam and preventing its operation at its thermal power plant in the district".
"The complaint was filed two-days back at Bandohora Police Post by the company's security officer against some unidentified persons who entered the plant's premises on the night of April 13, and tried to damage ash pond, water pump, its valve, pipe and motor," a company spokesperson said today.
The company claimed that it had been regularly bringing this to the attention of authorities but no action has been taken against these individuals till date.

In the complaint, the company said, "It was prevented to work on the ash pond and hence has been forced to stop the plant operations. These individuals, along with some anti-social elements, are instigating villagers to occupy Essar's land illegally and prevent work through agitations and protests.
When contacted, Udvasit Kisan Mazdoor Parishad, an NGO who works for the cause of the project-affected persons, said the company has violated all norms of pollution control by dumping ash near the plant without making any proper arrangements.
"The company has not given compensation as per the agreement to the affected persons leading to agitation," the Parishad president K C Sharma said.

However, EPMPL said the ash did not flow to any farm land and is contained within its premises.
"No human being or cattle was drowned by it, contrary to misleading claims being made by vested interests. Besides, there is no adverse impact on the nearby population or water resources," the company said.