Madurai
A contempt petition was filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday, seeking a direction to the State to permit fishermen to travel in their own country boats to Katchatheevu for the St. Antony’s Church festival, scheduled to be held on March 15 and 16.
The petitioner, G. Thirumurugan of Ramanathapuram, said that he had earlier approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in 2018 seeking a direction to the State to allow fishermen to travel in their boats to attend the church festival.
Passing orders in the original petition, the court had partly allowed the petition. While refusing to grant permission last year as the issue was brought to the knowledge of the court at short notice, it had observed that the fishermen could be allowed to travel to Katchatheevu in their own boats, in the coming years, subject to rules and regulations.
The petitioner said that the State should honour the order passed by the court and allow fishermen to travel in their own boats. A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar sought a response from the State and adjourned hearing in the case by one week.