Pattinapakkam fishermen protest proposed Tamil Nadu secretariat complex

Fishermen from 10 coastal villages in Pattinapakkam are staging a black flag march to protest the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to construct a new Assembly and Secretariat complex on their land.

The Mylapore Area All Fishermen Village Panchayat Council is demanding the withdrawal of Government Order (GO) 564. The council argues that the land, identified under Survey Nos. 4592 and 4593, was originally acquired in 1957 specifically for the rehabilitation and long-term housing of the local fishing community.

Protesters claim that diverting this land for administrative use violates previous government assurances. Additionally, the community cited state climate vulnerability assessments, asserting that the Mullikuppam area is projected to remain safe from sea-level rise through 2050 and 2100, countering arguments for relocation.