A fish-processing unit has been accused of releasing effluents into the Cumbharjua canal at Marcel for the second time since February. Local fishermen on Tuesday complained that various types of dead fish were seen floating in the river and attributed the incident to the effluents discharged by the unit. Following complaints, Tivrem-Orgao Sarpanch Sanket Amonkar visited the Cumbharjua canal, which links to the Mandovi River, to take stock of the situation. "I have already informed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), demanding strict action against the company, if found guilty,' Mr Amonkar said. Mr Amonkar expressed displeasure with GSPCB officials for failing to inspect the site till Wednesday evening, despite assuring to so. Locals along with the sarpanch and other panch members also visited the company on Tuesday and noticed the effluents being released into the canal. Except for workers, no company official was seen on the site. It may be recalled that on February 18, locals had blamed the company for the death of marine life and had also accused the local Panchayat of taking the issue lightly. Following public pressure, complaints were lodged by the panchayats of Tiverem-Orgao and Cumbharjua with the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Inspection and samples were collected only on February 28. The report claimed that the dumping of waste had caused the oxygen depletion, resulting in the death of fishes. Though the report did not categorically identify the company, locals were convinced that the company was responsible for the fish deaths. Incidentally, the Tiverem-Orgao panchayat paid a compensation of Rs 4,000 to each of the 15 fishermen from Marcel, much before the report was out. Sources, however, alleged that the company paid Rs 60,000 to the Tivrem-Orgao panchayat and Priol MLA Deepak Dhavlikar had handed over the cheques to the affected fishermen. The Cumbharjua panchayat is also believed to have received compensation, but figures are not available.