Fishermen threaten to hoist black flags on Republic Day

Puducherry: The Federation of Fishermen Village Panchayats in the union territory on Wednesday announced a series of agitations, including hoisting of black flags on Republic Day, demanding adequate relief to cyclone Thane hit areas.

Thanikachalam, President of the Federation, which has under its purview 18 fishermen hamlets here, told reporters that black flags would be hoisted on the roof tops of fishermen houses on January 26th to mark their protest against 'delay' in disbursement of relief to mitigate the sufferings caused by the cyclone that crossed the coast on December 30th.

Besides observing a fast on January 28th, the Federation would also organise a bandh in Puducherry on January 30th. These decisions were taken at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday.