[Reader-list] Fish workers seek arrest of captain

[T Peter]

Fish workers seek arrest of captain
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2914889.ece
Special Correspondent
Fish workers staged a dharna in front of the Secretariat on Tuesday
demanding the arrest of the captain of Enrica Lexie, the Italian oil
tanker that fired on an Indian fishing vessel killing two fishermen on
board.

Addressing the dharna, leaders of the Kerala Swathantra Matsya
Thozhilali Federation and the Association of Deep Sea Going Artisanal
Fishermen, Kanyakumari, called upon the government to drop the move to
release the Italian ship impounded at Kochi.

Federation president T. Peter who inaugurated the sit-in flayed the
decision to spare the captain and arrest the two Italian marines who
had allegedly fired at the Indian fishermen.

He said fish workers would organise an agitation at sea and on land
demanding the arrest of the captain.

‘Ensure safety'

Pointing out that the incident had sent shock waves through the
fishermen community, the leaders urged the government to ensure their
safety at sea.

They demanded better compensation for the victims of the firing and
intensive patrolling of the territorial waters by the Indian Navy,
Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement wing. Vincent Jain, chief executive
of the Kanyakumari-based association addressed the dharna.

The fish workers earlier took out a march from the Martyr's Column to
the Secretariat gates.


Arrest captain: fish workers
Thiruvananthapuram, February 21, 2012
Special Correspondent
Fishermen's organisations have urged the government to arrest the
captain of the Italian oil tanker that had fired upon an Indian
fishing vessel killing two men on board.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, leaders of the Kerala
Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation and the Association of Deep
Sea Going Artisanal Fishermen, Kanyakumari, called on the government
to hold the Italian ship impounded.

They said similar incidents of foreign vessels firing upon Indian
fishermen had occurred at Rameswaram, Thuthur, Poovar, and Vizhinjam.

“While Indian fishing craft have the right to operate in territorial
waters up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, foreign vessels travel
25 miles close to the coast, often violating international laws.
Several catamarans and small boats have been damaged in collisions
with the ships, fishermen have been killed, and their fishing
equipment ruined,” said T.Peter, president, KSMTF, and Vincent Jain,
Chief Executive of the Association of Deep Sea Going Artisanal
Fishermen.

They alleged that the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Enforcement
wing had failed to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of
fishermen at sea. “Fishermen are afraid to venture out to sea. They
are concerned about their safety.”

The organisations called on the State and Central governments for
urgent measures to restore the confidence of fishermen. They demanded
intensive patrolling at sea and adequate compensation for the families
of the victims.

Fish workers will stage a dharna before the Secretariat on Tuesday to
highlight the demands