Intensifying their protests seeking the swift retrieval of boats confiscated by Sri Lanka, fishermen launched an indefinite strike in Nagapattinam and Pudukottai on Monday. Further, as decided by the representatives of six coastal districts on January 11, a hunger strike reiterating the same demands has been scheduled for Tuesday.

According to fishermen representatives, Sri Lanka has been releasing only the arrested fishermen and not the fishing vessels. Since March 2015, around 75 fishing boats have been confiscated of which about 25 belong to Nagapattinam hamlets. With a sum of about `5 lakhs to `30 lakhs invested on each boat, the fishermen said releasing the fishermen without the boats is an indirect move to cull the fishing industry of the State.

“Fishermen do not know any other occupation than venturing into sea and returning with catches. Without boats, we cannot meet even our daily expenses. It is high time the Centre and State governments took up our sufferings with the Sri Lankan government and retrieved the impounded vessels.” said K Sakthivel, a fisherman from Akkaraipettai.

(The New Indian Express)