![Locals protesting for shifting red categories units from Battal Ballian Industrial Area in Udhampur. Locals protesting for shifting red categories units from Battal Ballian Industrial Area in Udhampur.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/k-5.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 30: Panicked over major fire in a chemical factory, locals today protested against operating of about 15 red category units in Battal Ballian Industrial area.
Raising slogans against District Administration and Industries Department the protesting people demanded that the factories spreading pollution should be immediately shifted from Battal Ballian residential area.
They claimed that after the major fire in a chemical factory at Battal Ballian during the intervening night of May 27-28, burst chemical containers were founded in 10 km radius comprising villages like Ballian, Tund, Kharuni, Londna, Thanot, Badali Rakh, Manpa, Rathian East and West Malhar, Sounthan, Satani.
It may be recalled that the District Administration Udhampur had evacuated people safely from the surrounding 10 km area as precautionary measures otherwise there could have been a big mishap.
State Government has permitted working of about 15 red category units at Battal Ballian Industrial area, which include Cement and Insecticides units. The area has around 15000 population and comprises Government and private schools.
The protest dharna was addressed by some prominent locals, including Manmohan Rana, Om Parkash, Des Raj, Satvinder Singh, Nassar Khan, Happy Khan, Sham Lal, Faquir Chand and others.