"We started the cleaning work immediately after settlement with protesters on some resettlement issues by the night of May 1," Essar Power spokesperson said in a release today.
He alleged that taking advantage of the recent agitation, the work on ash pond was prevented by vested interests and anti-social elements who sabotaged and damaged the ash pond leading to spill of slurry.
Those protesting on the issue, however, claimed that ash spilled in the nearby agriculture fields causing damage to environment.
On the issue of recent National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to clean the slurry, the company said that it will fully comply with the directions of the NGT.
More From This Section
The company had filed a police complaint last month against two individuals and other "anti-social" elements, seeking registration of FIR against them for "damaging the ash dam and preventing its operation at its thermal power plant in the district".
These individuals, along with some anti-social elements, are instigating villagers to occupy Essar's land illegally and prevent work through agitations and protests, the complaint said.