Protesting TN fishermen to resort to rail roko on January 1

Tamil Nadu fishermen, who have struck work demanding the release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka, have planned a rail roko on January 1.

The Tamil Nadu fishermen have stopped going out to the sea to catch fish, demanding that the Centre secures the release of the arrested 68 fishermen and their boats. The striking fishermen have come together under the banner of two associations, Tamil Nadu Kadalora Meenava Sangam and Meenavan Meenava Sangam, led P Sesu Raja and S Emerit, respectively.

Fishermen from Rameswaram and Pudukottai of Tamil Nadu were arrested by Sri Lankan navy between December 19 and 21, 2021, for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary and entering Sri Lanka’s waters. On learning about the arrest, the Tamil Nadu fishermen went on an indefinite strike.

Fishermen belonging to other associations of fishermen also joined the strike, but are said to have gone back to work, due to Christmas.

The leaders of the striking fishermen plan to visit Delhi and call on Union Ministers to appeal to them to intervene to secure the release of the arrested fishermen and to find a long-term solution to the repeated arrest of Indian fishermen.

A few days ago, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin appealed to the Centre to take immediate and appropriate steps to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats. The Chief Minister has also appealed to the Centre to establish India’s traditional fishing rights in Palk Strait and protect the livelihood of the fishermen.