The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has registered a suo motu case initiating a formal investigation into the alleged air and water pollution caused by Fresh Cut Organic Products Private limited, the Ambayathode-based poultry waste rendering unit, where a clash recently broke out between a group of local residents and police over the issue.
The order was issued by the NGT on December 2 based on a report titled ‘A fire that fails to die down’ appeared in The Hindu on November 7 carrying the complaints of the affected families about pollution and the arguments of the company management linked to the ₹22-crore facility, which was opened six years ago with a capacity to treat 25 tonnes of waste per day.
The tribunal observed that the claims, if true, indicated possible violations of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and the Air (prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. Citing the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v/s Ankita Sinha, the NGT also reaffirmed its power to initiate suo motu proceedings in matters of environmental concerns.
The Tribunal impleaded the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, the District Collector, the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s regional office in Bengaluru as respondents. They were asked to file an affidavit before the Southern Zonal Bench (SZB) at least a week before the next hearing and to remain virtually present if unrepresented. As the matter fell under the SZB’s jurisdiction, all records were also transferred to the bench, which would hear the case on January 29, 2026.
Arson
It was on October 21 that the factory was shut following arson and violence triggered by an agitated group within the action committee. Several local protesters and police officers were among those who sustained injuries in the clash in which a portion of the factory was set on fire apart from vandalising about 15 vehicles.
Over 300 persons who reportedly took part in the violence were later booked under various grave sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A special investigation team under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Yathish Chandra was also constituted to probe the case which initially led to the arrest of over 20 persons.
The plant was given permission to resume operations on November 8 following the District-level facilitation Committee’s order after verifying a comprehensive field inspection report. In response to the public complaints, the treatment capacity of the plant was also reduced from 25 tonnes to 20 tonnes per day. Prohibitory order issued by District Collector Snehil Kumar was also in place around the factory till very recently to prevent any law and order issues in the village.
Published – December 03, 2025 06:07 pm IST
