Mangalore: The stink raised by CM and BJP Chief’s land grab scandals in Karnataka around Bangalore has presently spread to seaside Bengre-Kudroli in Mangalore, thanks to Bharathi Shipyard Co, which is hungry for more lands (reclaimed or original land areas) to extend its activities, as in Malpe where a shipyard has taken over boatyards meant for fishermen in a natural port.
Who runs Bharathi Shipyard and how? The local residents of Kudroli – Bengre people’s Union have opposed the shipyard from the beginning, but the BJP govt, in the last 2 and half years has clandestinely helped the shipyard not only to come up but extend its activities, as if the land is denotified and bribes have changed hands. The govt in 2006 gave 28.50 acres of land to B.S. Co., of which 22 acres were reclaimed from the sea. The area near rivers was protected by the state.
The officers of B.S. Co., made on agreement with Kudroli-Bengre Mahajana Sangh (mostly fishermen) not to touch the surrounding trees, land, fish and other living creatures, nor ask people to go away (migrate) elsewhere. When B.S. Co., wanted more land in 2009, the Mahajan Sangh opposed but they were fooled by PWD of the state by calling a meeting in Vikas Soudha (Bangalore) and canceling it.
The Ambedkar Maidan and platform having several acres of land are decimated and reclamation made from river by sand and mud, have destroyed trees and water life (fish etc). The Co. does not care a fig about environment and people living around.
Since the state govt was not taking any preventive action against shipyard owners the finger of suspicion is pointed to the state govt, and suggests that denotification of land may have been encouraged, locals say 70% of the local people are against the hungry B.S. Co., now, but helpless in struggles.