A large section of lawyers of the Coimbatore Bar Association today staged a protest outside the court premises demanding that the government take necessary steps to rescue fishermen stranded at sea because of cyclone Ockhi.

Association president KM Dandapani said that due the cyclone over 1,500 fishermen in that State who went to sea had not returned. However, the Government claim was that only 98 more had to return.

He said the Central and State governments were lethargic in their rescue operations. The fishermen found in Lakshadweep, Maharashtra and Gujarat should be reunited with their family members, he added.

The State Government was only focusing on the MGR Centenary celebration in various districts and concentrating on the RK Nagar by-election and no arrangements were being made to save people living in coastal areas.

“Some fishermen pleaded to be treated as natives of Kerala as a result of the irresponsibility of the Tamil Nadu Government. Neighbouring Kerala with help of Defence Ministry and the Coast Guards saved the lives of fishermen providing them prior information,” he added.

Lawyers also wanted the Centre to declare the cyclone as national disaster. The association has also announce that it will hold a massive protest soon if the Government fails to act immediately.