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Indian fishermen to garner political support

05 May 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Days after the Indian external affairs ministry made it clear to fishermen not to fish in the Sri Lankan waters and its reluctance to intervene in their release every time they are arrested by the Lankan navy; community leaders from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu have decided to meet all political leaders to gather support for their cause.

Leaders of all fishermen associations met on Monday where they decided to seek support from the political parties also decided to call for a ‘bandh’ (a form of protest) in the coming days in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry condemning the central government.

"We condemn the central government for taking a stand of refusing to intervene in releasing our fishermen when they trespass into Sri Lankan waters for their livelihood and demand compensation for boats damaged in Sri Lankan custody," said Ramanathapuram district secretary of Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, B Jesuraja.

Out of the 81 boats released by Sri Lanka, fishermen could salvage only 61 boats and the rest had to be abandoned since they were damaged beyond repair, the Times of India said.

Even among the 61 boats, nearly 10 had suffered extensive damage, fishermen said.

Sources said the meeting between Union minister Sushma Swaraj and fishermen leaders was a disappointment. "The minister asked us not to venture into Sri Lankan waters and carry out fishing in Indian waters but there is no fish in our waters," says D. Arockiam, a fisherman from Rameswaram.

Without trespassing, the livelihood of fishermen between Nagapattinam and Rameswaram coast will be at stake, they said.

The ministry has asked fishermen to look at alternate employment and venture into deep sea fishing.

"But we need time to shift to deep sea fishing and we proposed to hand over our boats under buyback scheme. The minister said she will consider buyback possibility," said Jesuraja.

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Indian fishermen to garner political support

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