Mangalore: Fishermen Go on Mid-sea Protest Against Proposed Pipelines
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Mar 22: Local fishermen on Thursday March 22 held a protest on sea off Mukka coast, condemning the proposed placing of MSEZ and MRPL pipelines to release effluents in the sea.
 
Fishermen who gathered under the banner of Karavali Traditional Fishermen Union  (New Mangalore Port-Meenakaliya limit) opposed the pipeline, alleging that if the effluents are left to the sea, fish will die which will affect the fishing community's livelihood.

Fishermen surrounded the barge which was anchored here on Wednesday March 21 and expressed their discontent over the project.
 
Speaking on the occasion, president of Karavali Traditional Fishermen Union B K Boloor said that as many as 5000 fishermen will be affected by the proposed pipelines.

He added that earlier there were about 50 traditional boats fishing in the Baikampady-Suratkal stretch, but now the number has drastically reduced due the effluents released by companies like MRPL, BAFF, MCF, KIOCL and others.

Even the district administration has failed to provide information on the menace of placing the pipelines, he added and warned of intensifying the protest in future if their complaints were neglected.

Leaders Raghunath Poojary, Vaman Ameen among others were present.