Indian fishermen demand release of boats, colleagues from Sri Lanka
November 28, 2015 03:26 pm
Mechanised boat owners’ associations, comprising 11 outfits, today warned of launching an indefinite stir from December 5 if the Indian government did not take steps to secure the release of the 23 fishermen and 53 boats seized so far by Sri Lankan naval personnel.
They also wanted compensation for the boats that were totally damaged while anchored in the Sri Lankan coast, said Sandhya, Vercode fishermen’s association president.
Various associations’ functionaries, including N J Bose, S Emiret and P Sesuraja, who participated in the meeting, claimed they had the backing of all fishermen’s associations in Tamil Nadu, PTI reported.
Speakers said Tamil Nadu government should also resume fourth round of talks with the Sri Lankan government and its fishermen and retrieve Katchativu islet, so that the Indian fishermen could fish in the traditional area also.
They warned that they would resort to an indefinite stir from December 5 and intensify it, stage a dharna in front of Parliament and boycott elections if no action was taken, PTI reports.
-Agencies
