The Matsya Thozhilali Federation, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), staged a demonstration in front of the post office at Iron Bridge here on Wednesday to protest against the Central government’s move to impose a 61-day trawling ban.
The activists, led by federation state president T.J. Angelose, observed a fast and called upon the State government to ensure exemption from the order for fishermen in Kerala. Federation state secretary R. Prasad inaugurated the meet.
The agitators were of the view that the Union government’s stance, which favoured fishing by foreign trawlers, would push most fishermen into poverty.
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They said that the B. Meenakumari and Saida Rao Committee reports, along with certain reforms such introduction of passports for fishermen and denial of kerosene quota, went against the interests of the fishing community.
Kripasanam director Fr. Joseph Valiyaveetil delivered the keynote address on the occasion. Federation state vice president T.K. Thankappan, secretary V.C. Madhu and CPI State council member P. Jyothis participated in the agitation.