The National Fisworkers’ Forum (NFF) of India on Sunday decided to observe Monday as the National Day of Protest against the commissioning of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.
A resolution adopted at the general body of the forum said that the commissioning of the project would ruin the livelihood of hundreds of fishermen in southern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Several cases had been filed against the fishermen who held peaceful agitations. The Tamil Nadu government should immediately withdraw the cases and arrest warrants against those protesting against the nuclear project.
In another resolution, the forum totally opposed the Foreign Direct Investment in retail trade.
The forum said West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu governments had imposed blanket ban on fishing in some areas in the name of protecting marine resources. The governments should withdraw the ban in the interest of fishermen.
Pointing out the repeated arrests and assaults on Tamil Nadu and Puducherry fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, the general body meeting said the respective governments had failed to prevent such incidents in spite of loss of numerous lives of fishermen. The Centre should use its good offices to stop the attack and arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.
2013 The Hindu