'Survey extent of land encroachment by shipyard'

Kudroli Bengre Mahasabha Working President Srikanth Salian, who has allegedly been threatened by the company of dire consequences for raising voice against the company, addressing a news conference on Wednesday, said that as per the MoU signed between the residents of the area and the company, only 22 acre of reclaimed land could be used by the company for its purposes.

“The company has conveniently taken away over 50 acre of land in total. It has reclaimed huge area of land adjoining the 22 acre and has also encroached playground spanning over 2 acre and other land in the area,” Salian said demanding the MP, MLA and the DC to visit the site, inspect the same and stop the ‘illegal activities’ of the company.

Salian said that the company has waived off the points mentioned in the MoU and has reclaimed fertile mangroove area, thereby affecting bio-diversity and killing rich natural resources. The water resource has been polluted by the company, affecting the livelihood of the local fishermen.

“The company had promised us to provide employment to one member of the each affected family. There were 100 affected families, of which the company offered employment only to 62 families.

The company has not fulfiled its promise,” he said adding that initially the Port Officer had promised the people that the company will not evict the local families and will not cause any pollution. “The company has been functioning contrary to this promise,” he