CITU staged a demonstration in Thoothukudi on Thursday, raising various demands over the death of a seafarer.

The protest was organised near Chidambara Nagar bus stop in Thoothukudi.

Among the demands raised, the union urged the United Nations to immediately initiate an independent investigation into the incidents involving attacks on civilian commercial vessels and assess the humanitarian impact of the blockade on seafarers.

It also demanded that the Central government provide a compensation of $5 million to each affected family along with ex-gratia compensation by the Indian government to next of kin of the deceased. The union also called on the State government to extend support by accommodating family members in suitable government jobs on compassionate grounds.

The protest was held following the death of 35-year old Nishanth Uirthanathan from Thoothukudi. He was a second officer aboard the vessel M.T. Celestial Sea and died onboard the ship on June 11.