The fisherfolk in Kanyakumari district, bordering Kerala, are up in arms demanding that the Tamil Nadu government implement a package similar to the one announced by the Kerala government for the Ockhi-cyclone hit fishermen in the State.
Their major demand is that a compensation of ₹20 lakh be sanctioned for the kin of the fishermen who lost their lives in the cyclone.
NH blockade
Raising the demand, they have been blocking National Highway 66 at many places in the district since Thursday morning and rail traffic on the Thiruvananthapuram- Nagercoil section. Rail services on the section have been disrupted since Thursday noon following the stir by over 3,000 fisherfolk at the Kuzhithurai station. Braving a downpour, the protesters, including 1,500 women, are squatting on the tracks near the station from 12 noon blocking the movement of trains.
Claiming that over 1,000 fishermen who ventured into sea were yet to be traced, they demanded steps to expedite search operations. They are demanding that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami or a Minister deputed by him come to hear their grievances.
The agitators placed hearths on the platform to cook food indicating that they will not withdraw their stir unless their demands are met.
District Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan and Superintendent of Police are camping at the station. Divisional railway sources told The Hindu that personnel of the Railway Protection Force and the Tamil Nadu Police had been posted at the station.
The road and rail blockade hit hundreds of people, including office-goers and students, who commute from Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram.
Railways regulated, cancelled, and short-terminated several long-distance mail and express trains and MEMU services on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari stretch at Thiruvananthapuram Central and Nagercoil in view of the agitation. The 66305 Kanyakumari- Kollam MEMU and the 56317 Kochuveli- Nagercoil Passenger were cancelled on Thursday.
The 22627 Tiruchirappalli -Thiruvananthapuram Central Intercity Express was partially cancelled between Nagercoil Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central. The 22628 Thiruvananthapuram Central- Tiruchirappalli Intercity Express was partially cancelled between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Nagercoil Junction.
The 66304 Kollam-Kanyakumari MEMU,was short-terminated at Neyyatinkara. The 56304 Nagercoil Junction- Kottayam passenger was partially cancelled between Nagercoil Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central.
The 16526 KSR Bangaluru- Kanyakumari Express was short-terminated at Thiruvananthapuram Central.
