Association announces indefinite strike to demand release of fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka

Pamban fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.

The Pamban Country Boat Fishermen’s Association has announced an indefinite strike from Sunday, demanding that the Centre immediately secure the release of 35 fishermen jailed in Sri Lanka for poaching.

Talk to The HinduAssociation president SP Rayappan, who is in New Delhi with a delegation to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other leaders, said even after the Centre lodged a strong protest with its Sri Lankan counterpart over the arrest and demanded the release of the fishermen, the fresh incident had created disappointment and unrest among the fishermen.

At a time when the Union government was supporting Sri Lanka during its economic crisis and the Tamil Nadu government was providing all facilities to people leaving the country, such ill-treatment of fishermen under ‘false’ declarations was unjust and unfortunate.

The Pamban fishermen, who had ventured into Palk Bay in four boats, were arrested and produced before a Sri Lankan court by the Navy about two days ago. “This is highly condemnable and has affected the families…,” Mr Rayappan said, hoping that the government would come to their rescue.

The Sri Lankan court remanded the fishermen in custody and handed down jail terms of one year and 18 months to the boat operators. In addition, the Sri Lankan authorities declared that the four seized boats were national property. This came as a rude shock and the Sri Lankan authorities expected the Indian government to help them.

As fishermen from Rameswaram venture out to sea after calling off their indefinite strike today, the announcement of an indefinite strike by fishermen from Pamban is likely to impact normal life in the coastal district as a large section of the population depends on fishing.