Kasimedu fishers plan indefinite protest over seven detained boats

Fishing stakeholders at Kasimedu harbour in Chennai have decided to begin an indefinite strike and protest over seven boats being held in Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu reported. The protest is expected to start in about 10 days, after boats that are currently on long voyages return to the harbour. The decision was taken at a meeting involving boat owners, vendors, loaders, ice sellers, net menders and other people working in the fishing business.

The fishermen are demanding that the Tamil Nadu government take steps to retrieve the boats, which they said had been held for more than 100 days. They are also seeking financial assistance for the owners. Community leader M.D.

Dayalan said the government had not announced financial support for the affected owners, whom he described as single-boat operators. He said the detained vessels had been held since April, shortly after the annual fishing ban was lifted. M.E.

Raghupathi, of the Chennai Visai Padagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, said the boats were detained after disputes involving fishing activity near Andhra Pradesh. He said boats from the Union Territory of Puducherry had been seen fishing close to the coast, affecting the catch of artisanal boats. Another community leader, Nanjil Ravi, called for the Tamil Nadu government to seek the Centre’s intervention to secure the vessels.

Some fishermen also proposed stopping the sale of fish from Andhra Pradesh at the Chintadripet and Vanagaram markets. The fishermen said boats from Kasimedu had been detained by villages in Andhra Pradesh in previous years and released after ransom payments. The account said political opposition in Andhra Pradesh had become involved in the current dispute, while Chief Minister N.

Chandrababu Naidu had expressed support for fishermen in his State.