Fishermen Protest Against New Secretariat-Assembly Project in Chennai

Fishermen across Chennai's coastal belt from Ennore to Kovalam are staging a protest here on Tuesday demanding that the state government immediately withdraw its proposal for Rs 1,200-crore Secretariat-Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam in the city. 

Citing apprehensions of widespread displacement and threat to their traditional fishing livelihoods, the fishermen say such a massive structure on



over 24 acres land will destroy the traditional fishing grounds and public access to the sea.

Hundreds of members from the community including women sat in protest at Srinivasapuram Beach in Pattinapakkam (Foreshore Estate) while another section took out a black flag procession to draw the government's attention to their plight, amidst heightened police presence, barricaded areas and traffic diversions.