IANS reported that nearly 250 villagers staged a protest on last Thursday against industrial pollution from sponge iron units that they claimed was causing skin cancer and other serious diseases among the people, especially children.

Holding placards, the villagers raised slogans against the Environment Pollution Control Board for failing to take action against dozens of sponge iron units based in Urla and Siltara areas on the outskirts of Raipur.

The protesters said about 500 families of 15 villages surrounding the Urla and Siltara industrial centers were being severely affected by industrial pollution for years and several people had developed skin cancer and other serious diseases.

The protesters withdrew the protest after board officials received a memorandum from them and assured them that action would be taken against the polluting industrial units.

(Sourced from IANS)