Chennai: The fishermen in Rameswaram have resorted to an indefinite strike demanding the release of 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday and to return all the seized boats. The fishermen have intensified the protest since they ventured into the sea for fishing only after eight days due to the tension prevailing between the Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen on Monday.
Around 10 PM on Monday, while 11 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were fishing near Katchatheevu, the Sri Lankan Navy reached the spot and arrested TN fishermen and seized their three boats.
The arrest has also come at a time when there is already a delay in the release of the fishermen who were arrested in December despite a Sri Lankan court order.
The Sri Lankan authorities also started auctioning Indian boats that were seized from Tamil Nadu fishermen in 2018.
Also Read | TN Fin Min PTR & Ex-Health Minister Vijaya Bhaskar's Engage In War Of Words Over Legality Of Anti-NEET Bill
In this backdrop, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to intervene in the issue and secure the release of 29 fishermen and 79 fishing boats.
In the letter, CM Stalin said, "Including this 11 fishermen, as of the date 29 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 79 boats are in Sri Lankan custody. I would like to mention that recently, I had written to you highlighting certain serious issues relating to the volatile and tense situation prevailing among fishermen of the two countries, unilateral auctioning of TN fishing boats by SL government and attack of TN fishermen by SL nations."
"In the light of the above, I request your kind intervention to secure the immediate release of all 29 fishermen and their 79 fishing boats," he said.