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Move to relocate Pondy fishermen

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, DEC. 28. The toll in the tsunami tragedy has risen to 467 in Pondicherry, including 380 from Karaikal.

Though the figures available with government agencies on the number of missing persons vary, it could be more than 100. In Pattinamcherry alone, a fishing hamlet at Karaikal, more than 50 are missing.

Relief operations have picked up momentum in the last 24 hours with many non-governmental organisations and individuals contributing their mite. Several voluntary organisations have joined government departments in supplying food to special camps. Besides, people hailing from the Union Territory and working abroad are collecting funds. Some of them are in touch with their friends here to ascertain the needs of people in relief camps.

In Veerampattinam in Pondicherry and Mudaliyarkuppam, an adjacent village in Villupuram district, people have started returning to the relief camps.

After meeting the immediate needs of survivors, the Government is planning to shift them to safer places permanently. It is learnt that the Government plans to build houses for fishermen about 500 meters away from the coast.

Asked about the Government move, fishermen in Veerampattinam said: "Though it is better to stay close to the coast for a good catch, our life is more precious." They wanted the Government's reassurance that their livelihood would not be affected when they are moved away from the coast.

Veerampattinam is one of the largest fishing hamlets in Pondicherry. Though the loss of life and destruction here was minimal when compared to other places, most fishermen have lost their fishing boats and other equipment.

The case is similar in Thengaithittu, fishing harbour here. Several fishing boats, some of them worth about Rs. 12 lakhs, were destroyed. The boat owners say that it would take days to bring them to the backwaters.

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