The Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) and National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) have decided to launch mass agitations against the anti-fishermen policies of the State Government. As part of the protest, they will organise a ‘proclamation rally’ -jalayatra - from May 2 ahead of the agitations, KSMTF state president P P John and NFF national secretary T Peter said.
The leaders said that they would organise a ‘jalayatra’ from Kochi to Shangumugham here as part of the proclamation rally.
Among the demands of the fishworkers is that the movement of cargo vessels should not be permitted along the coastal waters as it has caused serious concern among fishermen who used gillnets along the coast from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.
They also demanded stopping of illegal constructions violating the Coastal Area Regulatory Zone and laws to be enacted for the security of fishermen who venture into the sea. They also wanted the seaplane project to be abandoned as it could affect the inland fishing.
The ‘jalayatra’ will start from Chellanam fishing harbour on May 2 and reach Arthungal fishing harbour in Alappuzha in the evening. The next day, it will pass through Chulatheruvu in Kayamkulam, Chavara fish landing centre and Astamudi Fish Landing Centre. On May 4, the proclamation rally will have meetings at Sakthikulangara and Neendakara and Thangassery fishing harbours in Kollam.
The rally will start from Thangassery on May 5 in the morning and conclude at Shangumugham in the evening.