Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Apr 5: The residents of Bengre staged a protest against coastal berth and capital dredging under Sagarmala project here on Monday April 5.

The protestors said, “We strongly oppose the coastal berth and capital dredging under Sagarmala project. By bringing the project to Bengre, we realize that the government is trying to evacuate people from Bengre. Since several years, we have been demanding to provide title deeds and RTC documents. Our demands are yet to be fulfilled.

“The fishing community, houses, people involved in dry fish business and fish drying tents will face huge a problem regarding their livelihood due to the construction of the coastal berth which will be 350 meters-long. People here will not have any alternative solution for their livelihood if the project comes up at Bengre. There is a government school close to the area. The project will affect the health condition of the children. So on humanity basis and in view of health condition of school children, we demand the project to be shifted elsewhere.

“Recently, our fishing boats powered away after their ropes snapped due to strong winds. If the boats had gone missing due to the strong winds, then the entire fishing community would have been in dire straits. The government needs to concentrate on providing basic facilities such as jetties for small boats. Our basic demands are not being fulfilled,” they said.