Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jan 13: “The Koderi mini port was constructed as a result of protests during the last 30 years. It is tragic that the mini port that came up after spending Rs 64.80 crore is not useful for the fishermen. About 10,000 fishermen and women are facing injustice due to lack of basic facilities and unscientific execution of the project. The officials concerned and elected representatives have failed to respond to our requests in this connection. Therefore, we have planned to hold symbolic protests in front of the Byndoor tahsildar office on January 17,” said Uppunda Ranibale Meenugarara Okkoota president Venkatramana Kharvi.        

Addressing a press conference at Koderi mini port near Uppunda on Thursday, January 13, he said, “We have continued fishing business at Koderi mini port in spite of several problems during the last two years. The 400 meters break water works have reached the final stage. Waves in the sea will increase in about five months. Dredging should be completed by then. We have suffered a lot as the boats could not reach the shore when the waves were strong. As many as four fishermen died last year and two have lost their lives this time. The government should get the dredging and break water works done if it does not want such incidents to occur in the future,” he said.

“A sum of Rs 30 crore was released in the year 2010. Another Rs 33 crore was released after the completion of that work. The auction yard is not in a usable condition even after using such a large amount. There are several problems as the jetty for unloading the fish was built in an unscientific manner. It will be beneficial for the fishermen if about 100 meters wide land to the north and the south of the jetty are leveled. Requests made to the minister concerned, MLA and officials in this connection were futile. The yard was provided with electricity and the construction of toilets was set in motion after calls for protests once in the past. However some vested interests demolished the walls of the toilets under construction. The officials concerned have not taken any action even after bringing the matter to their notice,” he said.

“The fishermen have planned a day-long protest in front of the tahsildar’s office on January 17 declaring it as the fisheries holiday. We will protest against unscientific work, urging for the development of the mini port and demanding basic facilities. About a 1000 fishermen will stage the protest observing Covid protocols and submit our requests. We will plan for another mass protest if there is no response for the current protests,” said Venkatramana Kharvi.

“The MLA who came to know of the press conference has visited the mini port and held a meeting with fishermen leaders. He has assured that the work will begin soon. We had believed in the previous assurances but the problems are still not solved. The work begins for two or three days after calls for protests and it stops as usual. Therefore, we will hold the protests and show our resolve,” he said.

Ranibale Meenugarara Okkoota vice president Thimmappa Kharvi, secretary Suesh Kharvi, treasurer Nagesh Kharvi, director Navin Kharvi, Somashekar, Shanker, Raghavendra, Sharath and Shrinivas Kharvi were present.