DM stops construction works at asbestos factory

Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Feb 1 (PTI) Muzaffarpur districtauthorities stopped construction work at the asbestos factoryat Chainpur-Bishnupur village today fearing escalation ofprotests by the locals.

Official sources said district magistrate AnandKishore directed Balmukund asbestos factory officials to stopwork at the construction site and imposed prohibitory ordersaround its premises.

However, this seemed not to have appeased the localswho staged a demonstration at the district magistrate''s officeduring the day.

The protestors blocked the gate of the districtcollectorate for hours and shouted slogans against theauthorities demanding a total ban on construction activitiesat the factory site, the sources said.

Local leaders of several Left parties joinedin the protest by the villagers against the asbestos factory.

Protests against the construction of the factory hasbeen on for the past few months and on January 22 six localshad been injured in a police lathicharge on them during ademonstration.