The Madras High Court has granted interim injunction restraining authorities from preventing fishermen from carrying out fishing activities in and around Pulicat and Ennore whenever a rocket is being launched from Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh.)
A Division Bench, comprising Justices Elipe Dharma Rao and K.K. Sasidharan, passed the order on a petition by the South Indian Fishermen Federation represented by its president Jayabalan.
The petitioner submitted that whenever rockets were being launched, an emergency circular was sent through the State Fisheries Department imposing a ban on fishing from Ennore to Sriharikota, terming the stretch a “danger zone.” The ban is normally for 15 to 20 days and fishermen families suffer.
They had approached the Tiruvallur District Collector to consider their request and recommend compensation by addressing a letter to the government. But, the government had not taken any action so far.
