Bhatkal: The proposed construction of a port in the neighbouring Kasarkod village of Honnavar taluk has sparked intense protests from the local fishing community. While fishermen have long opposed the project, tensions escalated on Tuesday when the district administration, under heavy police security and the imposition of Section 144, initiated a land survey. In response, local residents gathered at the shore and staged a sit-in protest, creating a volatile situation.
The protest took a dramatic turn when over 50 fishermen, including women, jumped into the sea in an attempt to sacrifice their lives, demonstrating their unwavering opposition to the project. Three women lost consciousness and had to be hospitalized, with one in critical condition transferred to Manipal Hospital.
The police detained more than a hundred protestors, including several fishing community leaders, for opposing the survey and violating prohibitory orders. Heavy police deployment was reported at Kasarkod-Tonka Beach, and several key protestors were arrested to disperse the agitation.
Local residents expressed outrage over the district administration’s decision to enforce prohibitory orders in Tonka and Kasarkod, allowing the private company to proceed with the survey. According to a fishermen’s leader, a delegation of fishermen in Bengaluru met with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to register their protest, accusing the police of using excessive force to ensure the survey's completion.
The controversial project is being undertaken by Hyderabad-based Honnavar Port Private Limited. The government had leased 92 acres of land for 30 years in 2010 for the port's construction. However, as the port is being developed in a region heavily reliant on fishing, the local community fears devastating consequences for their livelihood. Fishermen argue that their income depends entirely on fishing and have demanded the immediate cancellation of the project.
Concerns extend beyond livelihood issues, as the construction of a 4-kilometer road for the port by the National Highway Authority has raised fears of displacement for around 350 families. Additionally, a proposed railway connection for the port could further displace 250 more families, exacerbating the community’s distress.
The protests intensified around 9 AM on Tuesday when company officials arrived under police protection to begin the survey. In response, locals called for a boycott of educational institutions, and schoolchildren joined the protest. Demonstrators also expressed their anger at Karnataka’s Minister-in-Charge for Uttara Kannada, Mankal Vaidya, accusing him of changing his stance. Once an opponent of the port project during BJP rule, Vaidya is now under fire for allowing the project to proceed under the current administration.
Tensions flared when company officials attempted to erect poles along the shore, leading to verbal altercations between protestors and the police. While the survey aimed to assess road construction requirements for the port, police struggled to control the crowd due to the intense resistance. Despite the strong opposition, authorities managed to complete the survey, marking a step forward for the central government’s port project.
Environmental concerns have also emerged as a major issue. Locals allege that the planned road construction site is a natural nesting ground for turtles, a fact acknowledged by the Forest Department. However, the private company is accused of destroying this natural habitat by dumping soil and rocks, posing a threat to both marine life and the future of the fishing industry.
Authorities have yet to disclose the exact number of arrests. However, according to fishermen leaders, police are conducting searches for protestors, particularly those who made statements against the port project in the media.