Mangalore, Nov 12: The Dakshina Kannada unit of Ahinda and Mogaveera Community staged a protest in front of Urwa Market against Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) on Nov 12, Thursday.
Sharath Guddekopla, the president of Karavali Sampradayika Nada Doni Meenugarara Okkuta, made a speech in which he said that the public does not really require an air-conditioned retail fish outlet, such as the one located in Chilimbi. This retail fish outlet in Chilimbi, the construction of which cost Rs 25 lakh, is posing a huge problem to the local fisherwomen of Urwa Market, Urwastore, and Bejai. Guddekopla demanded the immediate closure of the fish outlet.
He also said that the state government must examine in detail the problems posed by such outlets to the local fisher folk before granting permission to establish them.
Pundalika Hosabettu, the president of the Surathkal unit of Yuva Shakti, said that these outlets hardly benefit any local fisherman or fisherwoman. Instead, they just rob the local fisher folk of their means of livelihood.
Bharath Thingalaya, Satish Baikampady, and Ahalya Kanchan Mukka, the president of Mahila Samaj, Mukka, were also present at the protest.