Rameswaram Fishermen plans indefinite strike from tomorrow

Rameswaram (TN),Jan16 (PTI) Mechanised boat fishermen ofRameswaram have decided to go on an indefinite strike fromtomorrow, to condemn the recent killing of a Tamil Nadufisherman,allegedly by Sri Lankan navy.

A decision to this effect was taken at an urgent meeting ofAll Fishermen Associations here here this evening, B.Sesuraj,a leader of the fishermen association, told reporters.

Fishermen will observe a ''silent mourning'' on January 18 atSaint Susaiyappar Church at Vercode and later stage ademonstration in front of Rameswaram Taluk Office to condemnthe incident. Country boat fishermen will also participate inthe mourning,he said.

R.Pandiyan, a fisherman hailing from Jegadhapattinamin Pudukottai district, was killed in firing allegedly by SriLankan navy in mid-sea on January 12.

India had summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner PrasadKariyawasam and lodged a strong protest over the killing.

The Sri Lankan envoy, however, denied involvement of hiscountry''s Navy in the killing of the fisherman.

The incident also evoked a strong reaction from Tamil Naduwith Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sending a telegram to PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh for strong action to end such"atrocities". PTI CORBN01162149