Kasimedu fishermen have announced an indefinite strike that will begin in about ten days, after the return of their boats from long voyages. The protest demands that the state government retrieve seven boats that have been held captive in Andhra Pradesh for more than a hundred days.
The decision follows a meeting that brought together all boat owners, vendors, loaders, ice sellers, net menders and other stakeholders at the Kasimedu fishing harbour. Manivannan, president of the Chennai Visai Padagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, said the collective agreement came after a thorough discussion of the situation.
M.E. Raghupathi of the association explained that the boats were seized in April, just after the annual fishing ban was lifted. He added that the incident was a response to the earlier escape of Karaikal boats, which had been held captive and later slipped away. Raghupathi also noted that boats from the Union Territory were seen fishing close to the coast, which he said undermined the catch of local artisanal fishermen.
Community leaders M.D. Dayalan and Nanjil Ravi highlighted the lack of financial assistance for the single boat owners and urged the state government to seek central intervention. Dayalan pointed out that thousands of fishermen from Andhra Pradesh work as labourers on the Tamil Nadu boats, allowing them to fish beyond the five‑nautical‑mile limit. Ravi cited the ongoing dispute over fishing rights in Pulicat and stressed that the issue should be pursued with the same seriousness as the Cauvery water dispute. Some fishermen also called for a halt to the sale of Andhra Pradesh fish at Chintadripet and Vanagaram markets. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed support for the fishermen of his state, despite the opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh raising the issue.
