[Reader-list] Fwd: Fishermen to protest for their rights

[T Peter]

Fishermen to protest for their rights

By Express News Service - KOZHIKODE

Published: 25th September 2013 10:25 AM

Last Updated: 25th September 2013 10:25 AM



Fishermen in the state are on a warpath in protest against the negligence
of the state and Central governments towards them. Under the aegis of the
Kerala Swathanthra Matysa Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) and the National
Fish Workers Forum (NFF), fishermen will stage a 101- hour-long satyagraha
in front of the Secretariat from November 7. NFF secretary T Peter told
reporters here on Tuesday that the members of KSMTF and NFF would submit
memorandums to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Central ministers, the UPA
convenor, the Opposition leader and leaders of various political parties in
New Delhi from October 7 to 10. On the occasion of World Fish Workers Day
on November 21, the fishermen will stage demonstrations, a mass dharna, a
picketing in Delhi and in 10 coastal states. The general body meeting of
the NFF, to be held in Mumbai from December 7 to 9, will devise the future
course of action. Peter said that the government should take appropriate
steps to include sea mishaps and calamities like tsunami and tornado in the
list of natural disasters. “The government should provide financial aid to
the homeless and jobless fish workers who have lost their homes and fishing
equipment due to such natural calamities. A ministry, exclusively for
fisheries, should be constituted to protect the rights of fish workers,” he
said. KSMTF general secretary Jackson Pollayil, KSMTF Malabar region
leaders Abdul Razik and M B Basheer were also present at the meet.