Fishermen from rural boats demand immediate help and release of arrested fishermen

Village fishermen and their family members hold a demonstration in Pamban on Friday. | Photo Source: L. BALACHANDAR

Members of fishermen’s associations staged a demonstration on Friday demanding the immediate release of all 25 fishermen held in Sri Lankan prisons.

On June 30, when fishermen from Pamban and Rameswaram put out to sea in four boats, Sri Lankan naval personnel arrested them on charges of poaching in their waters. They were produced before a court, which remanded them in judicial custody on July 1.

Since then, local fishermen have been demanding government intervention.

As a sign of protest, fishing boat leader SP Rayappan said they would resort to a road blockade. However, after officials intervened, they decided to hold a demonstration in Pamban.

The families of the arrested fishermen were despondent and the entire fishing colony was on edge as the Sri Lankan Navy was targeting even the fishermen operating the fishing boats.

“We are fishing within the limits of our capabilities,” they said, describing the arrest as unfair and unfortunate.

The association’s leadership should put pressure on its counterpart in Sri Lanka and organize a meeting at the highest level as soon as possible. The leaders of the fishermen’s association have made an appeal to them, expressing hope that their livelihood will not be affected.

Mr Rayappan said that at a time when India was friendly and helpful to its neighbours, Sri Lanka’s attitude towards Tamil Nadu fishermen was worrying and they should be assured that their fishermen would not be arrested.

He also assured that the fishing boats would never cross the border in the middle of the sea and that they were traditional fishermen in the Palk Strait.