After a gap of 16 days, fishing by country boats of Threspuram in riot-hit Thoothukudi resumed on Thursday.
Country boat owners and fishermen relying on the craft suspended fishing operations a day ahead of May 22 when police fired at anti-Sterlite protesters. The next day also witnessed severe police action, and 13 persons were killed in the police firing in the two days, while several others were injured.
The bodies of riot victims were cremated on Wednesday. A large number of fisherfolk from 24 coastal hamlets, who thronged Threspuram, cried and mourned after taking part in funeral of Jansi, a gunshot victim.
Jesubalan, fisherman and husband of deceased Jansi, was marked with deep sorrow. He had no words to utter, but was still mourning and abstaining from fishing, R. Raj, secretary, Thoothukudi District Country Boat Fishermen Association, told The Hindu.
Though the mourning continues, the fishermen have resumed their work. About 10% of the about 1,200 country boats from Threspuram resumed fishing on Wednesday night after Threspuram panchayat made a formal announcement about the resumption of the fishing operations over loud speaker at 8 p.m.
However, a majority of the fishing boats set out for the sea on Thursday night as fishermen of these boats would stay in the sea for four or five days, F. Robert, president, Threspuram Country Boat Fishermen Association, said.
Immediately after the announcement was made, the proprietors of ice manufacturing plants were apprised of the situation and ice bars were produced accordingly, Mr. Robert, who is also in the ice bar business, said.