Fishermen call off strike

Pudukkottai, Nov 22 (UNI) The fishermen of Jagadhapatnama and Kottaipatnam fishermen hamlet of Pudukkottai distict in Tamil Nadu today called off their indefinite strike after three days and ventured into the sea early today.

It may be recalled that the fishermen of these areas went on indefinite strike from November 19, protesting against the capture of 22 Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy, on the early hours of November 18 at mid Sea, when they were venturing and demanding immediate release of all the fishermen.

According to Mr Ramakrishnan, President of Jagadhapatnam Mechanised Boat Fishermen Welfare Association, they called off their strike today, following the developments on their plea to secure the release of the fishermen.

Recalling Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed's assurance to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi that Indian High Commissioner at Colombo is taking all efforts to secure the release of Indian fishermen, he said they withdraw their indefinite strike.

However, he warned that if the captured fishermen were not released within a couple of days, the fishermen of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Rameswaram and other sea shore areas of the state would launch indefinite strike in support of the issue.

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