Fishermen embark on indefinite strike

Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu, Jan 26 (UNI) Fishing operations came to a standstill in Rameswaram island since this morning following an indefinite strike-call by fishermen affiliated to various associations, demanding the Tamil Nadu government to fulfill their three-point charter of demands.

The fishermen were demanding immediate release of 12 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy recently for entering the Lankan waters, drop stringent action against fishermen by the authorities for crossing Indian waters and not to take action against fishermen for netting Sea Cucumbers, an endangered sea species.

Talking to UNI, N J Bose, State Secretary of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fishermen Federation said more than 3,000 fishermen of over 850 registered mechanised fishing boats in the Rameswaram island kept off the sea, since this morning.

About 10,000 people, including the fishermen, boat mechanics, agents and others depending on the fishing industry would be affected due to the strike.

He said the Federation has decided to stage roadblock agitations and demonstrations on February one, if the government failed to redress their grievances.

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