District-level panel to examine complaints on waste treatment factory

The district-level facilitation and monitoring committee would be asked to study the alleged environmental pollution caused by the Ambayathode-based slaughterhouse waste treatment factory in Kozhikode district, where a clash recently broke out between residents and police during a protest march. The decision was taken at an all-party meeting convened by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh here on Wednesday (October 29, 2025).

Considering the residents’ demand, the factory would remain closed until further orders. The latest field-level study reports by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Suchitwa Mission officials would also be discussed ahead of giving permission for the reopening. M.K. Raghavan, MP, and MLAs M.K. Muneer and Linto Joseph were present among others at the meeting.

Meanwhile, a section of local action committee members alleged that their leaders were not invited to the meeting, which was organised in the presence of senior Revenue department officials, police officers, and politicians. They also sought the permanent closure of the factory, citing the six-year-long indefinite agitations in the village.

As part of the ongoing investigations into the recent clash at the factory, the police on Wednesday arrested one more person who was reportedly present at the spot. The suspect was identified as Ambadan Ansar, a resident of Koodathayi. Till date police arrested 13 persons, including a few from neighbouring districts, in connection with the incident.

The clash between police and local action committee members took place on October 21 when some of the action committee members reportedly blocked trucks transporting waste to the treatment facility, alleging that the plant was causing huge pollution and foul odour in the area. The protest, which had been under way for several years, escalated when police intervened and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Over 25 activists and 20 police officers, including Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode Rural) K.E. Baiju, had sustained injuries in the confrontation. The protesters who attacked the police with stones had set fire to a section of the plant and vandalised more than 15 vehicles at the site. Some of them had even attempted to block the fire engines to the affected spot.

The police had subsequently registered cases against more than 500 identifiable persons on charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, and attempt to murder. A special investigation squad under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Yathish Chandra had been formed to intensify probe into the incident and track all suspects.

According to the action committee members, the waste treatment factory had been a point of contention for several years as it had been causing foul odour, groundwater contamination, and improper waste disposal practices. They also claimed that the Suchitwa Mission and the Pollution Control Board had earlier conducted inspections but failed to address the concerns raised by the residents.

Meanwhile, the factory management on Wednesday reiterated that it was an “organised attack” on the part of the protesters. They also claimed that the factory was opened and operated by complying with all the related rules and regulations of the land.