Attacks by Lankan Navy; fishermen observe fast

Rameswaram, Mar 13 (UNI) More than 10,000 fishermen in Rameswaram and surrounding areas today observed a day-long fast as part of their two-day agitation to condemn the killings of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel in the high seas.

Police sources said the fishermen also kept away from the sea for the second day today demanding the Central Government to take immediate steps to prevent firing on the fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

A big pandal was erected at Pamban near the sea front where the fisherfolk, members of 16 fishermen associations and 30 women organisations sat on a day-long fast from 0700 hrs this morning.

Owners of mechanised boats, country boats and Vallams and fishermen from Rameswaram, Pamban, Thangachi Madam and Dhanushkodi also participated in the fast.

Representatives of various political parties have expressed their solidarity to the agitating fishermen.

At the temple town of Rameswaram, the entire fishing community participated in a fast organised by the CPI(M) to condemn the recurring attacks on the fishermen off Tamil Nadu coast.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

''Let the Lankan naval personnel arrest us if we cross the IMBL. But they should not open fire on us indiscriminately and gun down us. The Lankan Navy should understand the value of life,'' a member of the Fishermen Association, bemoaned.

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