Fishermen from 10 coastal villages in Pattinapakkam will hold a black flag march on Sunday against the Tamil Nadu government's plan to build a new Assembly and Secretariat complex in the area. The protest will take place at the Mullikuppam-Srinivasapuram Loop Road junction. Residents will also put up black flags along the beachfront to oppose the proposed project.Key HighlightsFishermen from 10 coastal villages will join the protest.The march will be held at the Mullikuppam-Srinivasapuram Loop Road junction.The fishermen want the government to withdraw GO 564.They want the land to remain for housing and rehabilitation needs.Fishermen Oppose Secretariat ProjectThe Pattinapakkam protest has been organised by the Mylapore Area All Fishermen Village Panchayat Council. The council has asked the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw GO 564, which provides for the proposed Assembly and Secretariat complex.The fishing community says the land should remain available for traditional fishermen and their families. They say the land is important for housing, rehabilitation and livelihood needs.The black flag march is the latest protest against the project. Fishermen had also held a protest on September 29 and asked the government to cancel the order.Land History Cited by FishermenThe fishermen's council has raised questions about the use of the land. It said land covered by Survey Nos. 4592 and 4593 was acquired under GO Ms No. 3313, dated October 10, 1957.According to the council, the land was acquired for the rehabilitation and long-term housing of fishermen living in the area. The council says using the land for a government complex would go against its original purpose.The fishermen have also raised concerns about the future of their homes and livelihoods. They have asked the government to protect the coastal area used by traditional fishing families.Demand for Fishermen Residential ZoneThe fishing community has asked the government to recognise the area as a fishermen's residential zone under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019.They have also referred to climate vulnerability assessments while opposing any possible relocation. The fishermen claim the assessments indicate that Mullikuppam is expected to remain relatively safe from sea-level rise through 2050 and 2100.“The council has demanded that the state government withdraw GO 564.”The protesters want the government to reconsider the proposed land allocation and speak with local residents before moving ahead with the project.Government Project Faces Local OppositionThe proposed Secretariat-Assembly project has faced opposition from fishing communities and some political groups in recent weeks. Earlier reports said the proposed complex would cover more than 25 acres at Pattinapakkam.The government has said the project is still at the planning stage, with the detailed project report process underway.For now, the fishermen are continuing their campaign against the proposed site. Sunday's black flag march is expected to again highlight their demand that the land remain available for the coastal fishing community.
