Fishermen to stage demo over 'delay' in cyclone relief

Puducherry: Fishermen in the union territory today said they would stage a demonstration before the Fisheries Department office on February 13 to protest the 'delay' in giving relief to those affected by the December 30 cyclone Thane.

The fishermen,under the banner of Puducherry Meenava Makkal Kazhagam (a forum of fishermen's associations) demanded that the administration provide immediate relief of Rs 50,000 to fishermen to reconstruct their damaged houses and ultimately Rs seven lakh to each affected family.

Fishermen who had lost their equipment,including boats and nets should be provided adequate compensation.Each fisherwoman engaged should also be given relief of Rs 15,000 they said, adding that inland fishermen should also be taken care of.