Tharoor backs fishers, but against stalling port work

Thiruvananthapuram: Shashi Tharoor, MP, has urged chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to ensure that law enforcement agencies do not use any form of force against fisherfolk protesting in front of the proposed Vizhinjam seaport entrance.
“I have seen the order issued by the sub-divisional magistrate of Thiruvananthapuram relating to protests at the Vizhinjam port. As the elected representative of the people of Thiruvananthapuram, I strongly believe that the resolution of, and the response to, a peaceful mass agitation must be conducted through a process of consultation and negotiation, rather than by resorting to the use of force,” Tharoor said in a statement on Thursday.
The sub-divisional magistrate has directed the protesters to remove the illegal structures and barricades raised in front of the port gates immediately or appear before the sub-divisional magistrate court or the revenue divisional office at 11am on September 30 and explain why the court order was defied.
Tharoor said he sympathised with the cause of the fishermen but could not accept their demand that the port construction should be stopped. “While I understand that the constituted obstruction of access to the port site is problematic, I call on the government to resolve the problem by negotiation. I have repeatedly stressed that the suffering and grievances of the coastal community are genuine and require sympathetic consideration,” Tharoor said.
“While the order of the court must be respected, it is the duty of the civilian government to work towards resolving these issues through discussions and negotiations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Vicar general Eugene Pereira had called on governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday, seeking his support to the fishermen’s cause. The governor, it is claimed by the protesters, has agreed to do his best to resolve the crisis by seeking the intervention of the Centre in the matter.