Two hundred and fifty fisherfolk were arrested when they tried to lay siege to the Chennai Port in protest against the diesel price hike and to seek further diesel subsidies on Wednesday.
Representatives of 18 fishermen welfare associations in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram had sought permission from the Chennai City Police Commissioner to lay siege to the Chennai Port Trust to express their disapproval on the diesel price hike.
The fisherfolk began gathering at Kasimedu traffic signal from 10 am. Around 11.30 am, they began their procession, but were intercepted by Washermenpet Deputy Commissioner S Mageswaran.The official warned the protestors that they were courting arrest, if they proceeded with their procession. As many as 250 fisherfolk, including 15 women were arrested.
They pressed that the component of road tax in diesel that was supplied to them should be removed considering the fact that they never use roads. Further, they urged the State to provide 1,200 litres of subsidised diesel per year for fiber boats and 9,000 litres per year for mechanised boats, just like Karnataka. At present the State provides 300 litres and 1,500 litres of diesel for fiber and mechanised boats.
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