Bhatkal: The problem of acute scarcity of sand, gravel and red stone in Bhatkal taluka is increasing with each coming day which is eventually affecting the lives of hundreds of people. With the demand of immediate solution of the issue and to regain the discontinued supply of sand in Bhatkal, thousands of laborers came together to participate in a protest march which was organized by various laborers associations in Bhatkal. A memorandum was presented to the State Governor through the Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner.

The protest rally began with thousands of laborers gathering at the premises of Chan Pattan Hanumanth Temple, which passed through Shamshuddin Circle and terminated at the AC office. Slogans were raised demanding the state government to change the sand policy. Laborers expressed their anguish over the illegal supply of sand. The rally witnessed a huge gathering without the discrimination of caste, religion or political parties. Placards with various demands were displayed in the protest rally. The posters displayed the messages that the laborers could not be ignored. Bhatkal Tahsildar VN Bodkar received the memorandum from the protesters.

The memorandum warned the government of the further protests and strong steps if the problem was not solved at the earliest. Bhatkal has a huge number of laborers who are solely dependent on the construction work for their livelihood. The sand policy introduced by the state government from past 5-6 months has completely stooped the sand supply, which has brought the construction and other developmental works to standstill. Surprisingly, there is no problem with the sand supply in neighboring districts of Dakshika Kannada and Udupi. The laborers alleged that the state government has applied a biased policy by applying the sand supply policy only in Uttara Kannada district. The construction laborers have become empty handed due to the lack of employment. The impoverished laborers are unable to meet the expenses of their family. The state is such that the debt-ridden laborers are getting suicidal instincts to keep up their self-respect. The problem has become a barrier for the developmental works in taluk. The needy that had gone forward to constructing houses through various housing schemes are in utter despair due to the lack of raw material supply. The memorandum claimed that not only laborers, but all the people who have been affected by the shortage in anyway will come on roads if the problem was not immediately solved. The state governor is requested to get the report from Uttara Kannada District DC and take the needed steps, the memorandum read.

The president of Bhatkal Laborers Association Shridhar Naik, presidents and leaders of various labors associations Krishna Naik, Chattappa Naik, Ganapati Naik, Nagaraj Naik, Muneer, Bhaskar Moger, Rickshaw Union President Venkatesh Naik, Kannada Rakshana Vedike’s Ishwar Naik and others were present in the protest. Security arrangements were made under the guidance of CPI Suresh Naik.