Chennai, Oct. 4 – Fishermen from ten coastal villages in Pattinapakkam will march under black flags on Sunday to protest the Tamil Nadu government’s plan to use the area for a new Assembly and Secretariat complex. The demonstration, organised by the Mylapore Area All Fishermen Village Panchayat Council, will take place at the Mullikuppam‑Srinivasapuram Loop Road junction.
The council demands that the state withdraw GO 564, which authorises the proposed complex, arguing that the land was originally acquired under GO Ms No. 3313 on October 10, 1957, for the rehabilitation and long‑term housing of local fishermen. It says diverting the property for administrative use would violate the original purpose and undermine prior assurances to the community.
Fishermen also point to climate vulnerability assessments that indicate Mullikuppam should remain relatively safe from projected sea‑level rise through 2050 and 2100. They urge the government to recognise the locality as a fishermen’s residential zone under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019, and to protect coastal land for housing and livelihood rather than infrastructure.
With the government’s position unchanged, the council has intensified its campaign, calling for a reassessment of the allocation and consultations with residents before proceeding with the Secretariat project. The protest marks a continuation of earlier agitation on September 29 that sought the revocation of the order and the preservation of the land for the fishing community. – IANS
