Rameswaram fishermen called off the agitation, and resumed fishing in Palk Bay

File photo of Rameswaram fishermen fasting all day, demanding the release of imprisoned fishermen, October 3 | Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR

Fishermen, in boats with more than 300 machines, entered the sea from Rameswaram jetty in Tamil Nadu on Saturday (October 12, 2024) after not going to work for 10 days.

Following the arrest of 17 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on September 29, fishermen’s associations in Rameswaram refused to work in protest and observed a day-long fast at Thangachimadam with their families on October 3, pressuring the Union and State governments to ensure the continuation of their economy. quick release.

The 17 fishermen were released three days ago by a Sri Lankan court, on the condition that they pay a fine of 50,000 SLR each, after Union Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held talks with the Sri Lankan authorities.

State Fisheries Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan and Ramanathapuram Member of Parliament Muthuramalingam Kadar Batcha helped arrange the amount to be paid.

After their release, on Friday (October 11, 2024), the leaders of the fishermen’s association called a meeting and decided to end their agitation and start work from Saturday due to the festival season.

The members of the organization thanked the Union and State governments for their timely intervention, which helped in the release of the arrested fishermen.

They also urged the Union government to bring a permanent solution to the issue of arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lanka Navy so that they can fish without fear or insecurity in Palk Bay. Their life, according to the leader of fishermen P. Jesu Raja, was greatly affected by the frequent arrests and arrests of their ships.

Fishermen’s organizations also urged members to ensure that they do not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing.

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials said the fishermen were given tokens only after they produced their Aadhaar cards on Saturday morning. They were also told to be vigilant and not to violate any directives issued by the State government.