Fisherwomen protest over measurement of disputed burial ground

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Tension prevailed at Periya Kottakuppam on East Coast Road after hundreds of fisherwomen tied ropes around their necks and staged a protest by wading into the sea in protest against measurement of land and demarcation of boundary of a burial ground.

According to the police, tension had been brewing for sometime between Dalits belonging to Periya Kottakuppam and fishermen belonging to Nadukuppam coastal hamlet over accessing a burial ground belonging to the former.

The disagreement over the area used by the Dalits and the spot where the fishermen anchored their boats had led to repeated tension between the two groups. On June 6, the Dalits attempted to bury the body of one Boomilingam who had died of natural causes at the burial ground in Periya Kottakuppam. The fishermen reportedly attacked the Dalits leaving eight injured.

Meanwhile, a peace meeting was convened and revenue officials agreed to measure the disputed burial ground and to remove the boats anchored by the fishermen. When officials reached Periya Kottakuppam on Tuesday, a large number of fisherwomen gathered at the site.

They tied ropes around their necks and waded into the sea triggering tension. The police attempted to restrain them resulting in minor skirmish. A team of revenue officials reached the spot and began surveying the disputed area amid heated arguments from the protesters.

The police restrained the protesters following which officials measured the disputed area and began removing the boats amid tight police protection. The situation is now under control. A huge posse of police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident, a police official said.