Mangaluru: Medha Patkar flags-off fishermen’s boat-march to Thiruvanantapuram

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, Nov 22, 2014: The national well known social activist and an environmentalist Medha Patkar here on Friday November 21 flagged-off 10-day boat-march from Old Port to Thiruvananthapuram. 

 

It was jointly organized by National Fishermen’s Forum, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federaton (Kerala Independent Fishermen’s Federation) and Karnataka Coastal Fishermen’s Action Committee, in order to urge the union government to fulfill their various demands.

 

Addressing the gathering at the formal ceremony, Medha Patkar pointed out the challenges the fishermen undertake everyday.

 

 

‘The fishermen have fought not one but many battles in the past many decades. They have shown to the world what unity is, and what a unionized struggle is like. We are the real witness of the fishermen who waged struggle, fought and won,’ said Medha.

 

‘The fishermen collectively wage struggle and fought with the government to cancel licences to 200 foreign fishing vessels. People protested and held several hunger strikes. We have to salute them. It is your battle and fight that saved the beautiful coastal line, the fish is the source of livelihood which you live with. Even today unity is needed to safeguard the rights of the fishermen,’ said Medha.

 

Medha also said, ‘Murari Committee was formed by UPA-led union government because of the pressure from fishermen. But it was Ram Nayak, Ram Vilas Paswan and other political leaders who supported the fishermen rights. There are ministers who are ready to come forward and protect the rights of the fishermen,’ said Medha.

 

T Peter, national secretary of National Fishermen’s Forum said that Dr Meena Kumari’s report on Indian fishermen was baseless. ‘This rally is to protect the rights of the fishermen. We will not allow any foreign vessels in our region. We will sink their vessels, if they come into our region,’ cautioned Peter.

 

Karnataka minister for fisheries Abhayachandra Jain assured to safeguard the interests of fishermen in the state.