The fishermen of the state have intensified their protest against the non-interference of the state and central governments in releasing their boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Fishermen have said that since 2018, 109 fishing boats were seized by the Sri Lankan authorities on various charges with the fishermen alleging that they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The fishermen were arrested and jailed and their boats, fishing nets and their fish were confiscated. While the arrested fishermen were released after 15 days of judicial custody, the boats, nets and fish caught were never returned.
The fishermen, under the banner of Anaithu Meenavar Kootamaippu (All Fishermen’s Union Federation), staged a one-day protest and called upon the state and central governments to immediately intervene and provide compensation to them as they are unable to go to sea for fishing. are not. Because the boats have been seized in Sri Lanka.
Fishermen’s union leaders met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and asked him to intervene with the central government for the release of these boats. He urged Foreign Minister S.K. Have also sought time to meet Jaishankar.
Fishermen are worried as many people have no job for the last several months as they do not have boats to go deep sea for fishing. The families are expecting immediate intervention from the state and central governments to get their boats released.
–IANS