Mannar fishermen demonstrate against Sedusamudram project

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 July 2005, 12:23 GMT]
A large number of civilians, majority of them fishermen, demonstrated Tuesday morning in Mannar town, opposing the implementation of the Sedusamudram Canal Project (SSCP) claiming that the project will destroy fishing resources in Mannar Sea. Mannar District Fisheries Societies' Federation and Mannar Peace Movement jointly organized the protest.

The demonstration commenced around 10.30 a.m. from the Mannar public playground and concluded at about 11.30 a.m. in front of the Mannar district Secretariat.

Organizers of the demonstration later handed over a memorandum to the Assistant Divisional Secretary Ms.S.Mohanathan.

Mr.Vinonoaharathalingam, Vanni district parliamentarian participated in the demonstration, sources said.

General shut down was observed in Mannar town when the demonstration was held. Normalcy of the town was disrupted, sources said.

About 8000 fisher families live in Mannar district. Mannar fishermen are currently deprived of their legitimate catch due to frequent poaching by Indian trawlers, fisheries federation in the north-western town said.

In addition to the main demand against the implementation of SSCP, Mannar District Fisheries Societies' Federation has requested the authorities concerned to implement the following demands for the development of fishing industry in Mannar:

• Remove high security zone in land and sea along Mannar coastal areas.
• Permit Mannar fishermen to use fishing boats fitted with 15 HP engine instead of 9 HP engines.
• Expand the marketing facilities by allowing exporting fish, prawn and other species.
• Implement sea erosion project along Mannar coast.
• Reopen the unit of the Fisheries harbour Corporation in Mannar
• Action should be taken to establish Higher Education Institute for fishing in Mannar
• Ice factory should be constructed in Mannar.

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