Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Fishermen asked not to entertain `kattapanchayats'

By S. Dorairaj

CUDDALORE SEPT. 7. `Kattapanchayat' resorted to by musclemen to settle problems between fishermen groups, enhancement of infrastructure in coastal villages and hamlets, the need to curb use of non-selective fishing gear, prevention of midsea clashes, etc., figured in the discussions at the district level seminar held here on Friday.

The meeting, presided over by the Collector, S. Thangaswami, was attended by the Joint Director (Fisheries), R. Thillai Govindan, the Assistant Director (Marine), K. Ramanujam, and over 100 fishermen representatives from 19 coastal villages including Devanampattinam, Nallavadu, Annappanpettai, Killai, Mudasalodai and Rasapettai.

Responding to pleas from fishermen for ensuring harmony between `oor committees' and village panchayats, the Collector appealed to them not to entertain the illegal means of `kattapanchayat' to settle disputes as the district administration and police were prepared to alleviate their problems. The administration was aware that `oor committees' existed in the coastal hamlets apart from the village panchayats with elected representatives. Though the dual system was favoured by the fisherfolk, they should sort out problems on their own amicably. The district administration and the police would step in only if the situation warranted it. He also referred to the recent clashes between two groups of fishermen at Pudukuppam near Parangipettai. The body of one of the two youths murdered in a midsea attack was located, while the other was yet to be spotted. The fishermen of the hamlet had to suspend fishing activity for several days in the wake of the incident.

On the fishermen's plea for enhancing basic infrastructure at their villages, he said the administration would strive for providing link roads, bridges across rivers, community halls, transportation, housing, electricity, drinking water facilities, fish landing centres, and auction halls. Mr. Thillai Govindan said though use of trawl nets and purse sciene nets had been banned with a view to protecting the marine fishery resources, a section of fishermen continued to use them. Such practices would be brought to the notice of the District Collectors for suitable action.

Some fishermen from Nagapattinam had been using around 50 purse sciene nets for fishing near the MGR islet, Mudasalodai, Annappanpettai and Reddiarpettai along Pazhayar, particularly when the catch was meagre.

Efforts were on to create awareness among fishermen to abandon such practices. A fish landing centre being constructed at Mudasalodai at a cost of Rs.3.20 crores would be ready for use in six months.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Suspense over water release ends
• No serious crisis: TNEB
• Two students whiplashed by Salem college staff
• T.N. CM may not attend CRA meet
• Fishermen asked not to entertain `kattapanchayats'
• Cases foisted for protesting excesses: Nedumaran
• `Grey market thrives, thanks to ST on cellphone'
• TTPS unit resumes operations
• DMK won't appeal against unseating of Stalin
• `Army has no role in nabbing Veerappan'

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu