Fishermen of Nambiyar Nagar in Nagapattinam district went on an indefinite strike on Wednesday, seeking the intervention of State and Central governments to secure the release of 15 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.
They were arrested by the island navy on Monday night when they were fishing off Kodiakarai between India and Sri Lanka. Two boats had also been seized by the navy.
As many as 220 boats, including 55 mechanised boats belonging to Nambiyar Nagar, remained anchored at the jetty due to the strike.
S. Chithiravel of Grama Meenava Panchayat, Nambiyar Nagar, claimed that there was no ground for the Sri Lankan Navy to arrest the innocent fishermen, as they were confined only to Indian waters.
The strike would continue till the release of fishermen from Sri Lankan jail. It had also been decided to meet the Union Minister of State for Surface Transport Pon. Radhakrishnan and Fisheries Minister K.A. Jayapal to impress upon the plight of arrested fishermen and their families.
