Fishermen begin indefinite strike

To protest against arrest of 23 fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy

EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY: Mechanised boats anchored at Rameswaram on Wednesday as fishermen kept off the sea. Photo: L. Balachandar

Fishermen of Rameswaram on Wednesday began an indefinite strike protesting the arrest of 23 fishermen and seizure of five boats by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of straying into the island nation's waters.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of mechanised fishermen associations at Rameshwaram on Tuesday.

Around 3000 fishermen did not venture into the sea condemning the Sri Lankan Navy's action.

Recalling the repeated actions against the Tamil Nadu fishermen by island nation's Navy, the protesters appealed to the government to impress upon the Centre to find a permanent solution to the issue. They said they would not resume fishing until the fishermen were released.