Thirty-four fishermen associations said that they would boycott those political parties which failed to give representation to their men in contesting Assembly elections in fishermen-dominated constituencies in Kanyakumari district. In the presence of the leaders of the fishermen associations, Fr. Churchill, general secretary, South Asian Fishermen Fraternity, told reporters here on Monday that before Kanyakumari district was merged with Tamil Nadu, Kollencode and Vilavancode constituencies were allotted to fishermen and Lurthammal Simon was given the post of Fisheries Minister in the late Kamaraj cabinet. These two constituencies were allotted for fishermen on rotation. After that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam gave an opportunity to R. Bernard, and in 2011 the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam gave a chance to Lawrence to contest. In the current Assembly election, however, almost all parties neglected fishermen, he said. Mr. Churchill said that if political parties failed to give representation to fishermen in the Assembly election, the fishermen organisations would field their own candidates. There were 2.10 lakh fishermen in the voter list in the 44 coastal villages. Kanyakumari and Colachel constituencies had a majority of fishermen voters and Killiyoor and Vilavancode constituencies also had a considerable number of voters, the leaders claimed. Many promises, such as inclusion of fishermen in the tribal list and a separate ministry for the welfare of the fishermen, given to fishermen during the previous elections remained unfulfilled, they said. The associations had floated an outfit, called Federation of Kanyakumari District Fishermen Associations, they said.
2016, The Hindu