Saturday, 02nd August 2014
By D. J. Walter Scott
The Rameswaram fishermen have resolved to go ahead with their ‘sail to Katchatheevu’ agitation on Saturday, pressing for the release of all arrested fishermen with boats.
They have been on strike since July 24, protesting against the continued arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy and confiscation of their boats. At present, 93 fishermen, including 50 arrested on Monday, were lodged in Sri Lankan prisons.
“We are fully satisfied with the steps being taken by the State government to protect our interests but the agitation is to register our protest against the Central government’s ‘inaction’ in securing the confiscated boats,” fishermen leader P. Sesu Raja said.
Meanwhile, about 1,000 fishermen in Pamban began an indefinite strike on Friday in support of the Rameswaram fishermen.
Remarks condemned
The fishermen leaders took exception to the derogatory remarks made in the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry’s website about Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The fishing community severely condemn the remarks and portrayal of the Chief Minister in poor taste,” Mr. Raja said.
