Fishworkers Stage Dharna in front of the Secretariat. . . .

Thiruvananthapuram: Fishworkers led by the Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation staged a dharna in front of the Secretariat today (02.02.06) demanding the immediate transfer of title deeds to fishermen families of the areas of Karimballikara, Osavila and Charuvila in Vizhinjam.

The dharna was inaugurated by the State President of the Federation Shri.T.Peter. Till date the people of the above mentioned areas were not given title deeds on the pretext of the commercial harbour at Vizhinjam. Shri.T.Peter demanded the immediate handing over of title deeds to the Vizhinjam fishworkers, if there is any sincerity to the statement made by the Minister for Ports and Co-operation. Shri.T.Peter said that if there is any negligence shown in giving title deeds to fishworkers, the strike by the fishworkers will be intensified.

The District Secretary Shri.Anto Elias, Shri.Valerian Issac, Shri.Benjamin Lopez, Shri.K.Augustin, Shri.Joseph Lopez, Shri.A.Nicholas, Shri.Selvaraji Ousuf, Shri.Adimalathura Simon, Ms.Maglin Peter, Shri.Friska Kurisippan, Shri.Abdul Munaf and Shri.M.Alphonse spoke on the occasion.

More than 200 fishworkers, including women, participated in the dharna. The striking people disbursed only after the District Collector held direct interactions with them. The Collector announced that discussions with the concerned officials will be held soon on the issue of title deeds.