Vikramaditya & John Wilbert
Port Blair, Jan 28: A large number fishermen of Kadamtala region today staged protest at Kadamtala demanding permission for fishing in nearby sea area, as it was before COVID-19 period.
According to protesting fishermen, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration had restricted movement of fishermen on creek leading to both eastern and western sides of the sea, to make sure COVID-19 infection does not reach inside Jarawa Reserve area, situated adjoining Kadamtala region.
During pandemic the fishermen suffered heavily as they neither got any financial support from Government nor any other benefits.
While fishing activities in almost all areas of A & N Islands are allowed after lockdowns, in Kadamtala, the fishermen remain jobless and are facing extreme financial hardship, which led to today’s protest.
The protest began at around 9.00 AM and nearly 100 fishermen of the region participated in the protest. Later in the evening the Assistant Commissioner of Middle Andaman reached the spot to talk to the protesting fishermen. When talks failed, the Assistant Commissioner of Middle Andaman reportedly advised the fishermen of Kadamtala to take a delegation and meet the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman tomorrow.
It is learnt that tomorrow a group of fishermen from Kadamtala will meet the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman to find some solution to the problems they are facing.
