Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 15: The dredger boat, ‘Blue In’, which had anchored in the sea off Sasihitlu coast for conducting dredging activity to facilitate laying of pipeline for discharging effluents from the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone into the sea, returned to Maharashtra, after the fishermen from Sasihitlu surrounded it and staged a protest on Monday November 14 evening.

The boat had arrived here for laying the pipeline, at the behest of the firm that has bagged contract for the work. The boat had come from Maharashtra. After learning about the arrival of the boat, the fishermen, with the support of the general public, organized a meeting, and then went to the dredger boat in their country boats. They told those in the dredger boat that they are against the execution of this work, and demanded licence and other papers.

Those in the boat informed that the papers were with the owner, and that they were here merely to execute the orders of their master. After the people protested vehemently,  the boat staff said they would leave the place for the present. After the people demanded the boat staff to leave the state’s border, the boat left in the evening for Maharashtra.

Office bearers of fishermen’s associations, and people from Suratkal, Guddekopla, Mukka, Mallamar etc participated in the protest. Leaders like Shobhendra Sashihitlu, Shekhar Karkera etc were present.