Rameswaram: Members of various fishermen associations, including women, staged a demonstration in front of the Rameswaram bus stand on Monday, demanding the release of 55 fishermen, who were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in its territorial waters.
Over 200 fishermen and fisherwomen, led by leaders of various fishermen associations staged a slogan-shouting demonstration to draw the attention of the Central and state governments.
The protestors urged the Centre to find a permanent solution to the issue by holding talks with the Sri Lankan government and ensuring the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of the demonstration, P.Seshu Raja, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Coastal Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association, said the fishermen will hold a one-day hunger strike at Thangachimadam on Wednesday.
“If Sri Lanka fails to release the arrested fishermen, a rail roko agitation will be held on January one, 2022”, he said.
The Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday night arrested 55 fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district along with their eight mechanized fishing trawlers in two separate incidents.
Protesting against the arrests and demanding the release, the mechanized boat fishermen of Rameswaram began an indefinite strike on Sunday.
Chief Minister M.K.Stalin spoke to External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar and also wrote a letter to him requesting the Centre to immediately intervene and take steps to ensure that the Lankan government released the 55 fishermen and their boats.
