Angry, sad and dejected by failure of state and central governments, two Dravidian parties to check Sri Lankan authorities from arresting Tamil fishermen, they declare boycott of May 16 elections in coastal districts.

Vexed with the two Dravidian majors for their abject failure to protect them and their livelihoods, fisherfolk on coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, that together account for some 30 seats, have threatened to boycott the polls. On the state’s east coastal segment comprising Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Ramanthapuram, Tuticorin and Cuddalore, the main issue dominating the elections is fishermen’s arrests and destruction of their boats and fishing gear by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Several thousand fishermen living in coastal villages and fishermen organisations active in these five districts have declared that they would boycott the May 16 polls if the Centre does not initiate steps for release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka and get their boats released before the polls.

“We have decided to boycott the polls. Even if we exercise our franchise, nothing going to happen”, TN Fishermen Association secretary Karthikeyan from Nagapattinam said.

“In 2015 alone, over 70 fishermen from different parts of the state were arrested for fishing in the Island Nation’s territorial waters. But the truth is we are in Indian side only and even then the Sri Lankan navy attacks us,” he said adding “we elected AIADMK’s Jeyapal but as a fisheries minister he did not do anything to help us,,” said a fisherman, Kamachiammal from Nambiar Taluk at Nagapattinam district. This area had suffered extensive damage due to Tsunami of 2004 when several hundred people were also washed away.

The anger and disgust of the fishing community is extensive as well as intensive.

They are unwilling to listen to the Election Commission officials, already camping in the region and the local officials, to participate in voting.

An EC official however claimed that the fishermen were willing to consider the suggestion and said, “we spoke to some people and they would consider it.”

In Cuddalore, the anger is also against both state government and centre for not doing enough during the December last year floods.

“We were severely affected by the floods. Save for some financial assistance, the state government has taken no steps for permanent solution to the problem,” said Prabakaran, also a fishermen from Cuddalore.

Fishermen, who have also decided to boycott the elections in Rameshwaram at Ramanathapuram district, which just 18 km away from Sri Lanka coast, too complain that the maritime boundary line is just 9 km and since there is no demarcation, they were frequently arrested by Lankan authorities. “Every day we face the risk of being shot at and arrested”, Annadurai, a fishermen in Rameshwaram said.No one is taking the promises of the two Dravidian majors seriously.

“We are really confused whom to vote. Both AIADMK and DMK is not taking care of us. Even if we vote for BJP, its candidate will not win”, Arogiyasamy from Tuticorin said reflecting the predicament of the fishing community. Hence, the decision to boycott, not because it would solve the problem but because it would highlight the problem, yet again.