THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The conspiracy theory behind the burning of Ashapura Clay Company at Menamkulam last Sunday is gaining momentum with Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem raising suspicion about the whole episode in the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
According to top sources, the Minister has opined in the Cabinet meeting that the whole episode was nothing but the rivalry between two clay companies. He said in the meeting that the preliminary report he had received clearly states that the said clay company has not violated any pollution norms.
With his statement in the Cabinet meeting, the Government decided to go in for a probe to unravel the conspiracy if any. The District Collector has been asked to submit a detailed report after conducting a probe. Elamaram Kareem had also decided to visit the clay factory on Thursday.
However, substantiating the claims made by the Industry Minister, the medical report from the Medical College Hospital, where the women reported to have fainted inhaling factory emissions, states that clinically there were no signs of inhalation of any poisonous gas. They were admitted for observation on Sunday evening and discharged on Monday morning.
It may be noted that the fainting of some women staying near the clay factory had led to the vandalisation of the factory. Now with the observations made by the team of doctors who had treated these women, it is becoming evident that there was a conspiracy behind the whole episode.
However, the district administration has decided not to release the compensation announced for these women till the probe on the conspiracy is completed.