Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)

Bhatkal, Feb 22: Under the aegis of Anti Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Rules Committee, people from Bhatkal region including farmers, fishermen, members from minorities and scheduled communities etc organized a protest march in Bhatkal on Tuesday February 22.

They were angry at the problems created by the implementation of CRZ rules, which imposes a number of restrictions on the people living in Karnataka coast.

The protestors passed through Shamsuddin Circle and reached Inspection Bungalow, where a memorandum was submitted to the assistant commissioner, urging the government to withdraw implementation of CRZ. Addressing the protestors at the meeting held there, state general secretary of National Fishermen’s Organization and former vice president of Uttara Kannada zilla panchayat, Rama Moger, termed the act draconian, as it robs the poor people of their livelihood.

He noted that exemption had been given to Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa states from CRZ rules due to the pressure brought by the people there, and lamented that the rules are being enforced in the state strictly.

Over 1,000 protestors took part in the protest. The march was peaceful.