Fisherfolk Mobilize Against Proposed Assembly-cum-Secretariat at Chennai’s Foreshore Estate

On Tuesday, fishermen from 64 villages spanning Tiruvallur to Chengalpattu gathered near Srinivasapuram to demand the withdrawal of a Government Order (G.O.) that would permit construction of a new Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex on the Foreshore Estate. Participants marched silently, displayed black flags, and warned that the loss of access to the sands would jeopardize their ability to unload catches. Community leaders such as Kabaddi Maran and K. Bharathi urged the state to select an alternative site and to return lands previously occupied by fishermen.

The Hindu

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced in a suo motu statement on September 3 that the state intends to build the complex at a cost of INR1,200 crore, covering a built-up area of 20 lakh sq ft. The proposal aims to alleviate space constraints at the historic Fort St George campus, of which the government controls only four of the 107 acres; the remainder belongs to defence authorities and the Archaeological Survey of India. A government order slated for September 8 is set to formalize the project, while law minister C T R Nirmal Kumar has indicated that alternative sites are under review.

Hindustan Times

GR Vijayan, representing the Tamil Nadu Fishermen Federation, demanded cancellation of the September 8 G.O., the official grant of the Metro City Improvement Trust’s land to fishermen, and the issuance of land titles (patta). He also called for immediate construction of housing for dilapidated fisherfolk homes. Former chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M K Stalin met the protest delegation and pledged party support, warning that the DMK would join demonstrations if the government ignored the demands.

Hindustan TimesThe Hindu

• “We won’t have any freedom to carry on with our lives or unload our fish near the sands,” — Kabaddi Maran

The Hindu

• “If the chief minister does not cancel this G.O within the next 5 days, we will unite all fishing villages across Tamil Nadu and organize a massive protest,” — Vijayan. Making

Hindustan Times