Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday criticised the Eknath Shinde-led state government for “forcing” the oil refinery project on the residents of Barsu village in Ratnagiri district, and demanded that locals be taken into confidence before going ahead with it.
A section of people from Barsu in Rajapur tehsil, more than 400 km from Mumbai, have been opposing the mega refinery-petrochemical complex proposed to be set up at an estimated cost of several thousand crore rupees, claiming that it would destroy the ecology of the coastal region. More than 100 people were arrested on Tuesday for protesting against the project.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, all partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have been supporting these residents, and have said the state government must proceed only after all the fears of the people are allayed.
The Barsu site is an alternative to the one at Nanar, also in Ratnagiri in the state’s Konkan region.
Talking to reporters, Patole said the project cannot be brought in by attacking the locals.
“The project can be implemented only by taking people into confidence. If the government continues to indulge in high-handedness, then we will give a befitting reply,” the Congress leader said.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant, who belongs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, admitted that there is tension in Barsu.
“Villagers who are in favour of and against the refinery project held talks with the government yesterday. But some people want to create hurdles,” he said, without naming the Sena (UBT).
The Sena (UBT), which has come out in support of the residents, has demanded an immediate end to “atrocities” against protesters.
