Chennai fisherfolk protest proposed Secretariat at Foreshore Estate

Fisherfolk in villages along Chennai’s Marina Loop Road have protested against the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to establish a new Secretariat at Foreshore Estate. Residents raised black flags on boats, fish stalls, net-mending sheds and homes on Sunday. People from Srinivasapuram also marched through the hamlet, calling for land to be returned to the village and for the Secretariat plan to be dropped.

A fisherman said the land had originally belonged to the fishing community but was taken over by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board on the promise that houses would be built. The residents said they had been cheated and wanted the land restored. The protesters also demanded new houses for 15,000 fishermen and their families living along the Marina Loop Road.

They said many existing homes were built between 40 and 50 years ago. Fishermen’s representatives said their demands had been submitted to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell. Leaders G.R.

Vijayan and K. Bharathi said the community wanted the government to take a positive decision and appoint someone to hear its grievances before proceeding with a major project. They said protests had been organised because residents had not been consulted.

Fishermen from Nochikuppam, Bhavanikuppam, Domingkuppam, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Mullikuppam and Srinivasapuram, Mullimanagar, Nambikai Nagar, Selvarajpuram and Irudayapuram planned further demonstrations. The source material records the residents’ demands and the protests but does not state whether the government has responded to them or whether construction work has begun.