THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M Soosa Pakiam, the Latin Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday urged the state government to review the compensation package announced by it for the victims of the Ockhi cyclone. Inaugurating the Raj Bhavan march organised by the fishermen families under the banner of the archdiocese, Soosa Pakiam also blamed the authorities for failing to issue timely cyclone warning to the fishermen.
“We strongly and with great sorrow condemn the neglect shown towards the fishermen. Timely action could have prevented so many deaths,’’ he said.
Though the government announced a compensation package, the authorities knew only too well it amounts to nothing when compared to the losses suffered by the fisher households, he said. “Our request is the government should review it by taking us into confidence. We will also present a long-term plan before the state government and the Centre for comprehensive development of the coastal communities,’’ he said.
The prelate also reiterated the Church’s long-standing demand for a separate Fisheries
Ministry at the centre, besides a permanent safety mechanism for fishers. Steps should be taken to ensure efficient coordination among the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation, Marine Enforcement, Coastal police, Coast Guard and Fisheries Department, he said.
By 12.30 pm, several hundred people holding placards emblazoned with the images of the missing fishermen descended on the Kowdiar road for the sit-in. The police had already barricaded the road near the Animation Centre. Soosa Pakiam,who along with the other Church leaders addressed the protesters, said it was definitely not the time to criticise anyone. “That is not the Christian approach. Our attention should be focused on providing solutions together. I don’t question anyone’s sincerity. Wittingly or unwittingly, there were lapses and we had to pay a heavy cost,’’ he said.