Missing fishermen: NH bandh on Jan 6; request for support

Team Udayavani, Jan 5, 2019, 6:50 AM IST

• Fishermen from three districts to participate

Malpe: Though it’s been 20 days since the fishermen went missing and as the state government has failed to take it seriously and instead chosen to ignore it, a massive protest rally will be held on Jan 6^th to oppose the state government and to block the national highway. The general public should join in large numbers to support the protest and make it success, requested Yashpal Suvarna, president of the DK and Udupi district cooperative fish sellers’ federation.

This first of its kind case has hurt the fishermen mentally and it is unfortunate that the state government has failed to respond properly and instead chosen to ignore the fishermen. This incident has shaken the morale of the fishermen, he said.

3 district fishermen to participate

Fishermen’s association and the cooperative institutions of fisheries from the three coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada have announced their support for the bandh and will refrain from fishing.

Use alternate route

“In support to the national highway bandh that will be conducted on Jan 6^th the buses, other vehicles and the public making use of the Adiudupi – Malpe and Ambalpady-Kidiyuru route will need to make use of an alternative route. Exception will be provided only to medical treatment, medical and any other very necessary programme,” said Sathish Kunder, president of Malpe Fishermen’s Association