Fishermen try to besiege Port, 12 leaders held

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsTension prevailed at Krishnapatanam port in the district with fishermen in large numbers, led by AP Fishermen Society, tried to surround the port in protest against the failure of the authorities in implementing the compensation package for the people of four villages, who were displaced during the port construction. As many as 300 fishermen, along with their families, from Midderevu, Adalanagar and other villages launched their agitation around 10 am on Friday, which lead to a tensed situation. Police in large numbers were deployed at areas surrounding the port. Fishermen society district president N Balakrishna and 11 other others, who tried to enter the port premises, were arrested by police. The situation turned grave with the fishermen trying to rush into the port in protest against the arrest of their leaders. A heated exchange took place between them and the police. Later in the evening, the fishermen called off the agitation following talks with RDO Madhavilatha. The RDO promised to take up the issue with the district collector and hold a meeting with the port management and fishermen community representatives within 10 days for resolving the issues. Earlier during acquiring the land, the management of Krishnapatanam port had agreed to pay Rs 1.06 lakh per annum to each fisherman and Rs 66,000 per annum to one woman of fishermen families each as compensation. But the management had discontinued it after paying only for one year in 2002. After displacing the 600 fishermen families from the four villages, the management did not complete the construction of several new houses for them and also failed to provide drinking water and other facilities to the houses completed so far. The management did not provide burial grounds to the community at the new colonies, where the families are forced to pay for burying their dear ones at burial grounds belonging to nearby villages. The construction of a fishing harbour is a major demand of the fishermen as it is crucial for them to earn their livelihood. first published:July 21, 2012, 12:06 ISTlast updated:July 21, 2012, 12:06 IST
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Tension prevailed at Krishnapatanam port in the district with fishermen in large numbers, led by AP Fishermen Society, tried to surround the port in protest against the failure of the authorities in implementing the compensation package for the people of four villages, who were displaced during the port construction.

As many as 300 fishermen, along with their families, from Midderevu, Adalanagar and other villages launched their agitation around 10 am on Friday, which lead to a tensed situation.

Police in large numbers were deployed at areas surrounding the port.

Fishermen society district president N Balakrishna and 11 other others, who tried to enter the port premises, were arrested by police.

The situation turned grave with the fishermen trying to rush into the port in protest against the arrest of their leaders.

A heated exchange took place between them and the police.

Later in the evening, the fishermen called off the agitation following talks with RDO Madhavilatha.

The RDO promised to take up the issue with the district collector and hold a meeting with the port management and fishermen community representatives within 10 days for resolving the issues.

Earlier during acquiring the land, the management of Krishnapatanam port had agreed to pay Rs 1.

06 lakh per annum to each fisherman and Rs 66,000 per annum to one woman of fishermen families each as compensation.

But the management had discontinued it after paying only for one year in 2002.

After displacing the 600 fishermen families from the four villages, the management did not complete the construction of several new houses for them and also failed to provide drinking water and other facilities to the houses completed so far.

The management did not provide burial grounds to the community at the new colonies, where the families are forced to pay for burying their dear ones at burial grounds belonging to nearby villages.

The construction of a fishing harbour is a major demand of the fishermen as it is crucial for them to earn their livelihood.