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We are driven out of coastal areas, say fishermen

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 25. Fishermen in tsunami-affected areas today alleged that the relief work by government agencies was still tardy, making them go with "a begging bowl".

Groups of affected fishermen said that in the name of providing temporary accommodation officials were virtually driving them out of coastal areas.

The fishermen were brought here by Citizens Platform for Tsunami Affected-Tamil Nadu, to narrate their woes to pressmen today.

N.K. Rajendran from Ariya Nattu Theru Kuppam in Nagapattinam district said the Government, instead of providing catamarans and nets, was bulldozing fishing hamlets. This raised fears and suspicions.

Poornima of Tharankuppam in Kancheepuram district said the Government had provided the fishermen 60 kg of rice which was sufficient for a month. The affected should be given relief cards to bring them within the ambit of food security to all those who did not have ration cards.

`Postpone exams'

S. Nagaraj of New Kalpakkam demanded postponement of government examinations in tsunami-affected districts. He said the children were psychologically affected and should be given counselling before they took their annual examinations.

The fisherfolk were appalled at the rehabilitation policy of the State Government which, they said, was not exhibiting any sensitivity to the issue of the livelihood rights of the fishermen. They were being relocated far away from their homeland. For example, fishermen in villages on East Coast Road were moved to low-level areas adjacent to the Buckingham Canal, which was uninhabitable.

The fishermen were more interested in resuming fishing and wanted the Government to repair their boats, nets and other implements.

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