Fishermen call off protest as Bharathi Shipyard promises to take up dredging

Mangalore, April 8: Following the assurance by Bharathi Shipyard Limited fulfill the demands of local fisherman community, the latter decided to withdraw their planned protest against the company on Saturday.

In a letter submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda, the company promised that it would take up the work on dredging, from Old Port to Gurpura river at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.

The officials from Shipyard had promised to complete the work within two years.

Bharathi Shipyard Company had started functioning since 2009.

Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation President Nithin Kumar said that the fishermen had submitted a memorandum to the district administration urging to take up dredging in the region as the sand had accumulated following the company started functioning in the region. Though the company had promised to take up dredging, it was not materialised so far.

He said “We had a meeting on April 5 which was attended by Fisheries department Deputy Director and officials from Bharathi Shipyard and fishermen leaders.

The company had agreed to take up the work on dredging. However, the company had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on April 6, stating that their first ship would enter the sea on April 7 and the fishermen are coming in the way of the Bharathi shipyard.

They had demanded protection from the district administration.

Enraged over the incident, the Trawl Boat and pursein boat fishermen association decided to gherao the ship when it enters the water.

However, as the shipping company had given in writing to the DC that they would take up the work on dredging, the protest was withdrawn, he said.