Fishermen of Kasarkod Tonka, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka are struggling to protect their land and livelihood. The government should act accordingly to ensure the protection of their basic rights.
Honnavara Port Private limited Company’s decision to construct a commercial private port is against the basic rights of the poor fishermen of that area.
Talking to THG, Muzaffar a resident of Honnavur told that the fisherman are protesting and they want the HPPL to stop their project, “but the government wants to build the port. The project was on hold for few days but the work has resumed again three days ago.”
“Police forces were deployed around the port and fishermen demanded not to resume the construction, as their homes and livelihood will be dstoryed. But they didn’t listen to the fishermen and anyways started their work. Those poor fishermen are waiting the High Court’s decision,” he added.
The company is attempting contempt of court by not adhering the petition in High Court against the port. The Court had issued its temporary stay to further review the case. But the company has destroyed the sheds of fishermen with the help of district administration and taluk administration.
Capitalist forces with the help of state apparatus is trying to eradicate the identity of adivasis, farmers and fishermen from their own land. These policies should be opposed and stand with the people.
Fearing for their livelihood, fishermen have been fighting for the past one year and the government has not yet responded to their demands.
Solidarity Karnataka President Labeed Shafi has requested the government to stop such anti-people schemes and implement development programs that are beneficial for the lives of the locals.
