Fishers of Marina Beach on warpath despite Madras HC ruling against setting up stalls on roadsides

According to Livelaw.in, while hearing a suo motu public litigation related to the traffic chaos caused on the Loop Road by fish stalls on Tuesday, the High Court said the fishermen, who had put up stalls on both sides of the roads, cannot claim a traditional right over the roads without any statutory backing.

The court, last week, directed the GCP to ensure that the entire road portion and pavement are free of encroachment so as to allow the free movement of traffic and pedestrians.

As the civic body officials began their eviction drive last week and razed down a few encroachments on the pavements they faced stiff opposition from the fishermen and other residents. Fisherfolks from seven villages blocked the road by putting up a boat in the middle of the way and tying black flags to it.

Sitting under a temporary tent to protect themselves from the scorching Chennai heat, fishermen informed the media on Tuesday that they have not gone to work for the past many days and will keep protesting till the order is rolled back. The protestors threw seafood on the road exhibiting their dissent against the move of the officials.

On Tuesday, the division bench of justices S S Sundar and P B Balaji took a serious view of the protests and warned the fishermen’s families against road blockades.

“We strongly condemn everyone who feels they can show their strength to the court. People must know that they cannot take law into their hands. We cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour,” the court said.

Livelaw.in quoted the bench of justices noting that some people with vested interests were trying to mislead fishermen, making them believe that they have the right to encroach on public roads.

Further, it observed that the seafood is prepared in an unhygienic manner right on the pavement.

“Additional Advocate General J Ravindran informed the court that the corporation is attempting a peaceful relocation rather than a forceful eviction and assured the court that its orders have been implemented and the illegal eateries have been issued notices and closed. After hearing all the parties, the court decided to pass interim orders on Wednesday but assured that it would hear all the stakeholders, including the fishermen before passing any final order,” Livelaw.in added.

While the permanent fish market with toilet facility and sewage treatment plans for relocating the vendors are expected to be completed soon, fishermen continue to resist the efforts of officials to relocate them.

Nanjil P Ravi, president of the All Fishermen Association, told indianexpress.com that the fisher folks accepted the request of the police and civic body to allow them to use this road as a general road for two hours in the morning and evening to reduce the traffic congestion but now they have been informed by the officials to vacate their stalls and are labelled as ‘encroachers’.

“Fishermen are the sons of the soil; this is our area; we will not leave this place. We know that the government is not against us. If the judges feel our area stinks because of us, let it be. Marina Beach signifies fish and fishermen and nothing can change this. We accepted everything the corporation and police demanded from us. They are now asking us to shift to a place away from the sea. Who are they to regulate us? Will they act in a similar way to clear the encroachments in areas like Adyar or others?” he asked.

Ravi added that until the court quashes the suo motu proceedings their protests will continue and it will get intense with more participation of their community members.