Mangaluru: Traditional fishermen hold protest at Bengre against coastal berth project

News Network

July 9, 2021

Mangaluru, July 9: The traditional fishermen staged a demonstration at Bengre in Mangaluru today in protest against the proposed coastal berth project to be initiated under the Sagarmala project. The protesters raised slogans holding placards and placing their boats on the shore.

According to the proposal, 70 cargo vessels up to 5,000-tonne capacity will be able to berth in the facility. It will have a commercial wharf, double lane approach road, passenger lounge, godown, and others.

The protesters alleged that the coastal berth project will take away the anchoring facility for the traditional fishing boats, engaged in fishing in the Bengre area.

The protesters urged the government to stop the proposed project to help the traditional fishermen to eke out a living. They alleged that the coastal berth project is being taken up in an unscientific manner amid the protest by the residents on the shores of Phalguni river at Bengre.

Phalguni Nadadoni Meenugarara Sangha, Mangaluru Honorary President Muneer Katipalla, said that the project will affect the traditional fishing carried out by a large number of fishermen. The projects under Sagarmala and others will be a death-knell for the fishermen community. The project conspires to help corporates to take up fishing activities from the hands of fishing community members, she addded.

The traditional fishermen who have been depending on the catch of clam, crabs using traditional methods in the backwater of Phalguni and Nethravathi rivers will lose their source of living, said sangha president Abdul Tayyub Bengre.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

Comments