CPI(M) Gives Voice to Tannirbavi Residents' Protest in Mangalore

Tannirbavi is a picturesque stretch of land, lying between the majestically-flowing Phalguni river and the Arabian Sea, between Kulur and Bengare.

There are about 300 families living in the area over some generations. Out of them, about 98% belong to poor and Dalit classes. Dependent totally on fishing and bidi-rolling occupation, they have been deprived of all benefits that the government makes available by way of developmental works.

for all Tannirbavi residents so far deprived of all such privileges.

Residents complain of the stepmotherly treatment meted out by the city corporation and the governmet and cite the non-issuance of door numbers to their houses as the best example. In the absence of door numbers, they are not entitled to getting any benefits. Ration cards, power connection, water connection, loan facilities, pensions for widows, monthly stipend for the differently able, old age pension and such other benefits have remained out of reach for them.

The only benefit they have so far obtained is the issuance of the voter IDs (EPIC), which too have been issued based on unknown or non-existent door numbers through a nexus between the officials and politicians.

Excepting for a scholarship being given to the Dalit students, where the rest of 22.75% funds earmarked for the community by the MCC go is important question raised by the residents here.

All the ruling party and opposition politicians at the MCC have turned a deaf ear to the demands of the neglected residents of Tannirbavi. Therefore the Communist Party of India Marxist has come out in open support of their agitation.

As part of it, the party's city committee, in association with a few other organizations, organized a procession and a "MCC Chalo" (Laying a siege at the MCC office) on Monday Nov 29. Dalit right activists Baby, Madhava, Jayashri, Jagannath, Lingappa Nantur, CPIM city unit secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal and others were in the procession and led the protest.

The procession began at the Besant school junction and went via Mahatma Gandhi Road towards the MCC office at Lal Bagh. The protesters gathered in front of the MCC office and shouted slogans demanding door number.

(Courtesy : Mangalorean.com)