TN Govt to provide hi-tech equipment to protect fishermen

Chennai, Apr 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government will provide hi-tech equipment and life jackets to protect fishermen in the wake of continued attack on them in high seas, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi told the Assembly today.

Replying to a special call attention motion in the House, he said fisherfolk of Kanyakumari district, which recently lost five fishermen in an attack in the sea, had requested high speed mechanised boats to search missing fishermen.

The Government would request the Centre to provide the boats. If the Centre did not come forward, the state would itself procure the boats and distribute them to district administration, he said.

Mr Karunanidhi said the Government would also provide helicopters and construct helipad to conduct search operations.

Following a request that the Government jobs should be provided to a family member of the victim, he announced that suitable jobs would be provided on compassionate ground.

He said the Centre would also be urged to step up vigil by the Coast Guard along the Tamil Nadu coast.

Acceding to the request of members of the House, who spoke on the issue, the Chief Minister said a compensation of Rs five lakh would be provided to the next of kin of victims.

Though the Government would normally give a compensation of Rs two lakh for accident victims, it would increase the solatium to Rs five lakh for fishermen as they had been deliberately killed.

UNI