Fishermen using country boats in the coastal areas of Tuticorin district did not venture into the sea on Saturday in protest against the decision of forest authorities to float buoys along the 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar. Black flags were hoisted on the boats as a mark of protest. Over 200 boats did not venture into the sea.
Fishermen from of Vembar, Keezhavaippar, Sippikulam, Pattinamaruthur, Tharuvaikulam, Vellapatti, Thalamuthu Nagar, Vivekanadan Nagar, Puthia Kadarkarai, New Harbour, Inigo Nagar and Threspuram participated in the agitation.
Ramanathapuram
Fishermen owing allegiance to the Ramanathapuram Fishermen Trade Union (RFTU) observed a token fast at Kilakarai in Ramanathapuram district.
P.M. Karuppaiah, vice-president, Thiruppullani block, presided over the agitation. Palchamy, district president, and other leaders of the union spoke. More than 700 members took part in the protest staged near the Forest Range office in Kilakarai.
The protesters claimed that the decision of the State government to float buoys would prevent country boat fishermen from fishing near the islands. It would restrict their movement around the islands. The livelihood of the fishermen would be in jeopardy if the government went ahead with the proposal. They would not allow the authorities to float the buoys, the protesters said.
