Mangaluru: Fishing came to a halt just as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived at Mangaluru’s Bunder fisheries harbour early Saturday, prompting him to order an inquiry and direct that officials found responsible be suspended.Shivakumar, who reached the harbour around 6am, said he had not sought security while hearing fishermen’s grievances. “When I arrived, officials stopped all fishing activities. I have ordered an inquiry and instructed that those responsible be suspended immediately,” he said.He stressed that business activities must continue as fishermen and traders from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala depend on the harbour for their livelihood.On illegal roadblocks and unauthorised compound walls obstructing vehicular movement, Shivakumar directed the deputy commissioner to examine the possibility of acquiring land to improve road access and ordered action against encroachments on govt property.“We will obtain a comprehensive report on business operations in Mangaluru and Karwar and formulate a plan to provide technical assistance to fishing families living along the coast,” he said. He added that he would seek confidential reports to determine whether any mafia was operating there.“Business and trade must be conducted legally and in a fair manner,” he said.Promises action on dredgingShivakumar inspected the harbour and took a boat ride to assess development works and future requirements. Fishermen representatives Chethan Bengre and Mohan Bengre said the harbour had docking facilities for around 200 boats and suggested additional docks at Triveni Sangama, where the Phalguni and Netravati rivers meet the Arabian Sea.They also said dredging, which had not been carried out for 25 years, was essential in the rivers and estuary.Shivakumar said minister U T Khader had explained the difficulties involved. While some had suggested releasing the silt into the sea, others had proposed expanding the area, he said.‘Let’s send fish to Ashoka’Reacting to Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka’s criticism, Shivakumar said opposition parties were ridiculing the govt’s coastal development tour. “It seems the Leader of the Opposition wants to eat fish. We can send him fish from Mangaluru and fulfil his desire,” he retorted.“Ashoka has said the chief minister visited Mangaluru to eat fish. I gave up eating fish many years ago,” he added.BOXPleasant surprise for boat ownerBoat owner Pranesh was pleasantly surprised when Shivakumar, accompanied by minister Khader and senior officials, boarded his boat at Bunder for a brief ride on the Arabian Sea up to the estuary.Pranesh described it as a proud moment. Though he does not eat fish himself, Shivakumar spent time at the Bunder wholesale fish market, observing the varieties being auctioned, while Khader briefed him on their names and types.Later, Shivakumar visited Taj Mahal Restaurant at Hampankatta. After breakfast, he posed for photographs with the staff and tipped the waiters.
