Fishworkers flay Centre's move
Special Correspondent http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/31/stories/2007083154170400.htm Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation has taken exception to the Union Government's move to import varieties of fish normally caught by traditional fishermen, as part of India's agreement with the European community. Federation State president T. Peter said in a statement here on Thursday that it was a big blow to the fisheries sector of the State. The fishermen of the country were also disallowed from catching varieties such as shark and sea cucumber. Foreign ships were, however, catching them with impunity. He described the move as double standards on the part of the Union Government. He warned that the fishworkers would oppose any move to evict them from the coastal area and hand it over to other sections. PRESS RELELEASE The Kerala Swatantra Malsyathozhilaly Federation (KSMTF) has strongly protested in a Press release against the on going attempts of the Central Government's ruining the lives of the fishing community. The decision of the Central Government to import Mackerel, Sardine, Anchovies and other pelagic fishes in the name of Indo-European treaty will affect the fishing community in major ways.These fishes are usually being caught by the traditional fishing community in India. The KSMTF has alleged that the present move of the Government is to help a big lobby in Delhi trying to alienate the fishing community from the territorial waters as well as the sea shore. They are providing many loopholes for the Tourism and other Industries to take over the coast and sea. While the Government is allowing foreign fishing vessels to catch fish verities like Shark, sea cucumber and other species, the same activity is banned for the traditional fishing community in India. KSMTF president T Peter and District secretary Anto Elias said that any move from the Central Government to evacuate the fishermen slowly from the sea shore would not be tolerated and it would be protested unanimously. In Jembodip of West Bengal more than twelve thousand fishermen families have been evicted and that land has been handed over to the Sahara Company. In Ghanjam District of Orisa in the name of turtle protection, the fishermen are not allowed to fish. In Chirala of Andhra Pradesh the fishermen are displaced due to the ship breaking yard. In Tamilnadu also the situation is not different; to protect the coral reefs the fishing is not allowed in 21 small islands. But the Government is promoting the Sethusamudram project which will destroy the coral reefs in a big way. In Gujarat also already ship yards are working. The situation in Kerala is also same; in Mararikkulam the fishermen lost the land due to the tourism efforts of Casino Hotels. The KSMTF leaders reminded the Central Government that if they ignore the problems of the fishing community, the next parliament election will not be that easy for the ruling parties. KSMTF has decided to strengthen the struggle and organize protest if this situation continues. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
