Coimbatore besthava community who traditionally are involved in fishing in the lakes and ponds have petitioned the Coimbatore collector seeking protection. In the petition, they have said “We have been fishing in the ponds and lakes in Coimbatore since the time of the British rule in India. But today people who are not from our community have also started fishing in these lakes using nets and fishing hooks. We have time and again captured them and handed them over them to police and we have also made compromises with the help of the local men to maintain amicable relationships with the locals. However, because we have stopped them from fishing in the lakes they started damaging the temporary shelters we had erected to sell the fish captured from the lakes. They also set fire to some of our shops and also in some instances attacked us. Such incidents continue to remain unchecked till now. We have chosen fishing as our occupation as we have no other option for our livelihood.”
Bringing to light one such situation this petitioner said “In this scenario, on 9.11.2016 at about 2pm in the afternoon, Vijayaraj and Moorthy from our community were sitting at the sales counter at the Narsampathi tank bund with the day's catch. Kannan and Gajendran and three others were fishing illegally in the lake. Coincidently, these are the people who are constantly giving us trouble by attacking us. Vijayarakj and Moorthy from our community were attacked with weapons the two and grievously injured. This attack has taken place as a revenge for not allowing members of the non besthava community to fish. As our lives are under threat we have brought the incident to your notice. We request you to take necessary action to prevent such incidents in future.” said the petitioner.
Bringing to light one such situation this petitioner said “In this scenario, on 9.11.2016 at about 2pm in the afternoon, Vijayaraj and Moorthy from our community were sitting at the sales counter at the Narsampathi tank bund with the day's catch. Kannan and Gajendran and three others were fishing illegally in the lake. Coincidently, these are the people who are constantly giving us trouble by attacking us. Vijayarakj and Moorthy from our community were attacked with weapons the two and grievously injured. This attack has taken place as a revenge for not allowing members of the non besthava community to fish. As our lives are under threat we have brought the incident to your notice. We request you to take necessary action to prevent such incidents in future.” said the petitioner.