Peace talks were convened between two groups of fishermen on Monday by the Mayiladuthurai administration, in the wake of a recent clash over use of banned purse seine nets. District Collector R. Lalitha, and Superintendent of Police Suguna Singh, secured assurances from representatives of the two sides to desist from indulging in provocative acts that triggered the clash on Saturday. A mechanised boat belonging to fishermen of Poompuhar that was fitted with the banned purse seine nets had rammed and destroyed a fibre glass boat causing injuries to three people. These people belonging to Vanagiri village had tried to stop the illegal fishing activity. Subsequently, fishermen of Vanagiri had set on fire three boats belonging to the opposing group in Poompuhar. Four persons – two each from the warring groups – have been arrested, and police presence has been strengthened in the two villages to prevent law and order problems, Mr. Suguna Singh said. Heads of 27 fishing villages were invited for the talks. Those indulging in pair trawling using purse seine nets were told in clear terms about the ban imposed on the fishing practice by the High Court, and that alternative means for livelihood must be pursued, the SP said.
2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD.