Chennai: Fifty fishermen were arrested from Nagapattinam and Karaikal, towns in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday. Reportedly, seven boats have been seized as well. The fishermen have frequently complained about the harassment that they go through without any effective measure being implemented. This is the second time this week that Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.On Monday, fishermen held a demonstration in front of the Collectorate in protest.
The fishermen took a stand on July 24 and boycotted fishing in retaliation to the ill-treatment. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has already taken up the issue and will soon be discussing it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is her firm commitment to restore traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay and retrieval of Katchatheevu.
Last week 38 fishermen had been captured on the pretext that they had crossed the international maritime boundaries from Kottaipattinam and Rameswaram. Their boats were captured which led to protests. The fishermen will only resume work once their demands are fulfilled. They want the frequent arrests to come to an end and harassment meted out by the Sri Lankan Navy to stop. The need for security and safety has increased like never before.
(With additional information from PTI)####‘firm commitment’ to restore
traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk
Bay and retrieval of Katchatheevu,
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