Kozhikode: A day after residents of Ambayathode, Thamarassery clashed with cops, leading to arrests and injuries over the poultry waste rendering plant, the Pollution Control Board authorities said that there was no evidence of violations. Vinaya KS, Chief Environment Engineer at the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Kozhikode Office, told Onmanorama that the company, Freshcut Organic products, was granted permits since no violations were found during inspection. 

"What we have given them is a conditional permit. They are not allowed to release any waste materials into the river; that would be a violation. But during inspections, we found no evidence of these actions," she said.

A violent confrontation broke out on Tuesday at Thamarassery during the protests, resulting in multiple injuries and property damage. Cops were injured in the protests. The conflict ensued when locals insisted that they would not allow lorries to enter the factory premises, which allegedly release pollutants into the air and the nearby river. On its website, the company claims that the waste materials are carefully transferred to the state-of-the-art facility without causing any spillage, thereby avoiding the risk of foul odour and atmospheric pollution.

While the PCB rules out violations during site inspection, the residents said that they have been troubled by foul smells and the polluted waters of the Izhuthullipuzha River since the plant began functioning in 2019. The slurry generated from the factory's operations flows directly into the river, and the combustion of its solid waste releases pollutants into the air, they said. 

"There is not a single person in this region who is without allergies," said Kodanchery Grama Panchayath member Chinnamma Mathew, citing the rising health concerns that arise from the pollution. She also stated that health complications and suffocating smells are forcing people to move out of their homes. "All we are asking for is our basic right to clean water and unpolluted air," she said.

The residents attempted to hold talks with the company management, which have often concluded without proactive results despite initial promises, said Chinnamma. 

Thamby PP, a member of the protest council, alleged that the violence was orchestrated to put an end to the ongoing protests. "A while back, they shut down operations, stating that they would only reopen once the issues were resolved, but 30 days later, they reopened without consulting with any of us or resolving the issue," said Thamby.

He added that a former engineer at the Pollution Control Board, Kozhikode, had informed the Human Rights Commission about the deplorable state of the region and the hazards posed by the company, but she was soon transferred, allegedly in a politically motivated move.

Kattipara Grama Panchayath member Premji James stated that the company had already received permits from the previous panchayath committee. These permits expired on March 31, 2025. However, their request for a new permit was declined, citing the issues raised by the residents.

Having received the DLFMC (District level facilitation and monitoring committee) permit, the company applied again in September, but the Panchayath refused to renew the license. "Afterwards, a circular issued by the government granted them permission to continue operations," said Premji.

The protests at a meat rendering plant in Kozhikode, which ended in a skirmish with the cops, can have larger implications for the state. Centralised waste treatment plants in the state have always met with protests, often due to unscientific management. Vilappilsala treatment facility was shut down in Thiruvananthapuram in 2011, mainly due to a lack of a leachate treatment system. 

Recently, the local self-government department issued a circular prohibiting inter-district transport of poultry waste. It said that the enforcement action will be initiated if the standard operating procedure of rendering plants mandated by the PCB is violated. Onmanorama contacted the company representatives for a comment, but they didn't respond.