[Reader-list] Kollam Collectorate March

[T Peter]

Kollam Collectorate March

The fish workers led by Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation (KSMTF)
conducted a March to the Kollam Collectorate demanding to solve various
issues concerning the traditional fishing community. The March was
inaugurated by T. Peter, State President, KSMTF. In his inaugural speech
he said that the government is trying to evacuate the fishing community
from the sea shore. T.Peter stated that the Government is facilitating the
commercial interests in the coastal areas instead of the survival of the
traditional fishing community.  The community leaders who spoke during the
programme asked the fisher people to actively participate in the campaigns
and agitations to make sure that their rights are protected properly. They
warned that if the fishing community did not resist strongly, the sea and
sea shore would be invaded by the Tourism, Mining and other industrial
lobbies.

KSMTF general secretary A. Andrews, S. Francis, M. Ambrose, P.M. Varghese,
S. Joseph, S. James S. Steephan led the march to the collectorate.


The main demands of the march were: 1. To implement CRZ. 2. To provide
debt relief declared by the Government to all those who have membership in
the Fishermen Welfare Fund Board 3. To develop the Thankassery Harbour. 4.
To build an auction unit at Portkollam, 5.To build and develop the costal
roads and start new bus roots in the coastal region in Kollam.  6. To
Increase the kerosene quota of the traditional fish workers, and to solve
the patta issues of the coastal land.

Around 1000 Fisher people participated in the March which started from
Vadi Junction in kollam. The march was the result of campaign initiated by
the kollam district committee of KSMTF during last two days.

http://www.keralafishworkers.org
http://www.alakal.net