Police use force to disperse protesting Kasimedu fishermen

The fishermen of Kasimedu harbour have been observing the strike for nearly a week demanding removal of engines with high horse power from about 60 boats, allegedly owned by Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar’s relatives. While the talks between fishermen’s associations with the department did not yield any result, fibre boat association head Thyagu was arrested on Saturday night on assault charges. Following the arrest, fishermen laid seige to the fisheries department office in Kasimedu and raised slogans. 

On Sunday, about 500 fishermen gathered near the office and tried to block the road. Police held talks with fisherman in order to disperse them, but since they did not relent, they resorted to a lathi charge. In the violence that ensued, angry protesters damaged five MTC buses and a few other vehicles. As the protesters were forcefully evicted from the spot, about 10 women and a few children suffered injuries. 

Later, on the promise by the fisheries department officials that the engines will be removed from the boats, the protesters dispersed. 

Speaking to DT Next, South India Fishermen’s Association head K Bharathi said that while only engines with 160 horse power are permitted to be used in boats for fishing, a few men have imported engines with up to 480 horse power from China. “Boats with such powerful machines are capable of destroying the coral reefs, where fish usually breed, while trawling. Also, what other boats catch in three months, these boats will haul in one month, leaving the other fishermen jobless for two months,” he added.