Rameswaram, Aug 28 (FN Agency) The mechanised boat fishermen here began a one-day strike on Wednesday, demanding immediate and unconditional release of all the Tamil Nadu fishermen and fishing trawlers detained by Sri Lanka. The busy Rameswaram fishing jetty wore a deserted look, as about 5,000 fishermen abstained from fishing activities leaving over 700 registered mechanized fishing trawlers anchored in the Rameswaram fishing jetty. The strike call was given by the Federation of All Mechanised Boats Fishermen Associations to draw the attention of the Central government on the plight of innocent fishers. The fishermen were also demanding the Indian government to take intense steps to trace and rescue two fishermen from Rameswaram, who went missing on Tuesday after their boat capsized near Katchatheevu Island.
Talking to newsmen here, P.Seshu Raja, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Coastal Mechanized Boats Fishermen Association said the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended eight fishermen from Rameswaram and confiscated their mechanized fishing trawler on the alleged charges of illegal poaching in its territorial waters on August 26. With this, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 341 fishermen from various districts of Tamil Nadu and seized 46 trawlers so far this year. The continuous incarceration of fishers has severely affected the livelihood of the fishing community and other workers depending upon the fishing industry. The Indian government should take up the issue with Sri Lanka and instruct their Navy to exercise restraint from attacking our fishermen and restore the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.