The fourth State conference on ‘Livelihood rights for fishermen’ demanded political rights for fishermen, especially reservation in panchayat and assembly elections for them.
Giving a call to them to achieve their political rights, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said, “We must put forth our demands through a political forum. For that, we need political awareness.”
The fisherfolk were the real sons of the soil, yet one of the most backward in the State today, he said in Madurai on Friday.
Extending his support to the resolutions passed at the conference, Mr.Thirumavalavan urged the State government to provide adequate relief to the kin of the fishermen who were affected by the Sri Lankan Navy. He assured the conference that he would take up the fishermen’s issue in Parliament.
M.H. Jawahirullah, Ramanathapuram MLA, who spoke at the function, asked the State government to provide government jobs to the family members of those killed by the Sri Lankan Navy.
As many as 22 resolutions were passed at the conference organised by the Tamil Nadu Fishermen Federation.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the function, Mr.Thirumavalavan said the State government should construct the compound wall of Mullivaikkal memorial in Thanjavur.
On the by-election for the Yercaud Assembly constituency, he said the VCK would offer support to the DMK.
S. Mahaboob Jaan, State secretary, Marumalarchi Labour Front, John Moses, general secretary of the JD(S), also spoke.
