Chennai Fisherman Dies After Boat Capsizes, Kin Blame Debris Dumped In River

The police said, Vignesh's boat capsized due to strong winds and rain near a high-tension tower construction site. 

A 34-year-old fisherman died after his boat capsized reportedly colliding with debris in Kosasthalaiyar river on Thursday. The family members of the fisherman alleged that the boat capsized due to the construction debris from the transmission towers. However, the police denied the claim. The victim was identified as Vignesh from Mugathuvara Kuppam. Vignesh is survived by his pregnant wife Kavitha and a three-year-old daughter.

The police said, Vignesh went fishing on Wednesday night. However, he did not return till the next morning.

The family members told The New Indian Express that they immediately went searching for Vignesh. While they were searching near the shore, a few fishermen reportedly noticed a capsized boat and Vignesh. They rushed to help him but Vignesh was found to be dead due to drowning. The fishermen then informed the police. 

The police said, Vignesh's boat capsized due to strong winds and rain near a high-tension tower construction site. 

They said that the fishermen of the coastal area had been protesting for a long time against the erection of the transmission towers by Tantransco at that place.

On July 26, fishermen from the hamlets protested in the river with their boats, calling on the government to take down towers and other obstructions because they endanger their livelihood.

On Thursday, the grieving family members and friends organised a protest and demanded compensation and to bear the cost of his children's education. They urged the government to immediately take action against those responsible for Vignesh's death.

Revenue officials held talks with them. The tahsildar who visited the spot reportedly promised to provide compensation and a government job to Vignesh's kin, said a report on Times of India. 

A fisherman from Kattupakkam hamlet, Kumaresan told TNIE that another fisherman met with a similar accident in 2010-2011 when the workers dumped the debris while constructing a bridge to Vallur thermal plant.