Karwar: The protest against the ‘Sagar Mala’, a Central government initiative, on Tuesday, January 21, stepped into the ninth day with several organizations and political parties lending their support.
The protesters have condemned the construction of the breakwater across the seashore, shouting slogans against the state and the Centre. They demanded that the project plan be revoked.
State president of the Karnataka Raitha Sangha Aralapura Manjegowda said, “Fishermen and farmers are like two sides of a coin. The government must listen to the problems of the people and resolve it. Do not create a situation, where all the poor will have to suffer. Do not instigate the farmers. We will support the fishermen in this protest until the project is revoked.”
“The district administration is threatening the Raitha Sangha by saying that our future will be at stake. The Deputy Commissioner had assured that the breakwater construction will not happen, and now they are dumping stones in the seashore. This is not ethical,” he added.
At this point in time, DC Dr Harishkumar reached the spot and accepted the plea submitted by the protesters. He said, “Already the issues of the fishermen caused by the project have been brought to the notice of the concerned minister. We have the stopped work. The minister is ready to have a meeting with the fishermen. If you accept the invite, we will arrange for a meeting. I request you all to kindly call off the protest.”
Meanwhile, a fisherman named Digambar fainted during the protest and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
