INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The arrest of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan Navy personnel turned into a routine affair, and only when it was stopped the
livelihood of TN fishermen could be normal, said speakers at a demonstration held in Thangachimadam on Saturday.Seven fishermen from
Thangachimadam on board a mechanised boat, who were engaged in fishing in the sea, were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of
poaching in the territorial waters of the island nation on October 27.In protest against the incident, the fishermen in Rameswaram island
stopped venturing into the sea and announced suspension of fishing activities till October 30.Fishermen from various associations and their
families participated in the demonstration.Jesu Raja, a fishermen leader, said the Central and State governments should help resolve the
issue amicably with the Sri Lankan government
Only a permanent assurance that Tamil Nadu fishermen could venture into the Palk Bay without any fear and that there would not be any arrest
or seizure of their boats would help them continue their fishing activity.The Sri Lankan Navy impounded several mechanised boats of Tamil
Nadu fishermen and sold them in public auction
Each boat cost around ?25 - 50 lakh
Around 50 fishermen and their families depended on each boat for their survival directly and indirectly
The seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan authorities not only made them jobless, but also resulted in a huge loss for them.The fishermen
families said they were in constant fear and expect the governments to come to their rescue
The fish they caught earned a huge amount of foreign exchange for the government through exports, and the lives of the fishermen were also
equally important, they said.They said if the arrested fishermen were not freed immediately, they would intensify the protest by seeking
support from the fishermen community spread across Tamil Nadu soon.Source: The Hindu-Agencies
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
