Mangalore, Jan 10: Protesting against lack of proper drainage system in Bunder area and the difficulties faced by handcart porters owing to the bad condition of roads, several porters held a rally, followed by a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in the city under the banner of Bunder Labourers' Association, in association with Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Thursday.
Shedding light on the plight of labourers working in Bunder, CITU district general secretary Vasant Achari said that roads near the old port area are in deplorable condition and are posing threat to the lives of the porters.
“When the roads are unfit even for walking, how can the porters push heavy cartons on their handcarts? Despite several pleas and submission of memorandum to the Mangalore City Corporation, there has been no improvement in the condition of the roads. The government does not do anything apart from giving false assurances to the people,” he said.
Alleging MLA of Mangalore City (South) N Yogish Bhat of being passive, he said that despite having been elected four times as an MLA, he has failed to provide good roads in the old port region.
“The MLA has so far not reacted to the problems of the porters. He should look into the problems of the labourers and not restrict himself to the problems of the influential classes,” he said, urging the district administration to not only lay better roads but also solve the drainage problem in Bunder.
He said that they will continue their demonstrations till the authorities pay heed.
Participating in the demonstration, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Muneer Katipalla also urged the people responsible to take appropriate measures and put an end to the difficulties of handcart porters.
President of Bunder Labourers Association Willy Wilson, general secretary B K Imtiyaz, Lancy Noronha, Chandrahas Gupta, Siddeeq Bunder and several others were present on the occasion, pressing for road repairs and proper drainage system in Bunder.
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