Mangaluru: The New Mangalore Port Displaced Mogaveera Naalku Patna Samyuktha Sabha has submitted a charter of demands to Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta and Mangaluru North MLA Bharath Y Shetty, seeking management rights over the proposed Kulai fishing harbour and resolution of long-pending rehabilitation issues.

The charter was submitted on Saturday during the Hakkottaya Sabha held in Kulai. Representing the Mogaveera communities of Thannirbhavi, Kodikal, Panambur and Kulur, the organisation called for greater recognition of the community’s contribution to the development of the region and the fulfilment of commitments associated with the establishment of the New Mangalore Port.

The association has sought the involvement of the local fishing community in the management and operation of the proposed harbour, including the supply of essential fishing-related materials and collection of entry fees.

Mogaveera community raises rehabilitation concerns

Sabha president Mohan Kodical said the community’s elders had surrendered land for the construction of the New Mangalore Port in the 1960s, contributing to the development of Mangaluru as an economic hub.

However, he claimed that promised employment opportunities, corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding and other benefits had not been adequately provided to the affected communities.

He also raised concerns about the development of infrastructure serving fishing settlements in the region.

“The fisheries road was made after the city corporation came into existence. New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) did not give anything,” he said.

The sabha’s demands seek to bring renewed attention to the issues faced by communities displaced during the development of the port and the benefits they expect from the infrastructure established on the land surrendered by their elders.

The organisation has called for the authorities concerned to address outstanding rehabilitation matters and consider the community’s demands in connection with ongoing and proposed port-related development.

Demand to entrust Kulai harbour to fishermen’s cooperative

A key demand in the charter is that the management of the proposed Kulai fishing harbour be entrusted to the Kulai Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.

The sabha has argued for the cooperative society to play a central role in the harbour’s operations, reflecting the interests of the local fishing community.

Its demands include giving the society priority in supplying essential fishing materials and services, including ice, diesel and fishing equipment. The association has also sought the authority to collect entry fees at the harbour.

These demands are aimed at securing a role for the local fishing community in the management of infrastructure intended to serve fishing activities along the coast.

The proposed harbour is expected to be significant for fishermen operating in and around Kulai and neighbouring coastal settlements. The sabha’s appeal places the question of its future management among the key issues requiring consideration by the authorities.

The charter specifically calls for the Kulai Fishermen’s Cooperative Society to be entrusted with operational responsibilities. The response of the authorities to this demand was not specified in the information provided.

Association highlights contribution to regional development

Vice-president Srinivas Puthran said the Mogaveera community had played a major role in the development of the region.

The sabha represents communities from Thannirbhavi, Kodikal, Panambur and Kulur, areas associated with fishing and the coastal economy around Mangaluru.

The organisation’s appeal links the community’s historical contribution to port development with its current demand for a greater role in local fishing infrastructure and resolution of rehabilitation concerns.

According to the sabha, the surrender of land by its elders was an important contribution to the establishment of the port, which subsequently became a major component of the region’s economic activity.

The association has sought recognition of this contribution through action on employment-related commitments, CSR benefits and other outstanding issues.

Charter submitted to MP and MLA

The submission of the charter to MP Brijesh Chowta and MLA Bharath Y Shetty places the demands before elected representatives from the region.

The sabha has sought their attention to the proposed harbour’s management arrangements as well as the long-pending concerns of communities affected by the port’s development.

The demands cover both the immediate question of operational control over the proposed fishing harbour and broader issues relating to rehabilitation and benefits for displaced families.

The organisation expects the concerns raised during the Hakkottaya Sabha to receive attention from the concerned authorities.

The next steps will depend on how the demands are examined and whether the proposed management role for the Kulai Fishermen’s Cooperative Society is considered by the authorities responsible for the harbour.