Fishermen insist on mechanism to check country boats

Sources said “the trio have been taken to Colombo for interrogation. Possession of more than 200 grams narcotics is enough to attract death sentence according to Sri Lankan laws.” But local fishermen’s association were vociferous in their demand for improved and tougher supervision and control of country boats which can go to sea as and when they want and are accountable to nobody. 

Tamil Nadu fishermen’s federation general secretary CR Senthil said, “we are awaiting the investigation report of the TN police as only then will we know whether the arrested are bonafide fishermen or smugglers.” Accepting that smuggling did take place in the area, he said “even in the 2011 incident, the state government was able to pressurise the PM to intervene and save the 5 fishermen from Dhanushkodi who were arrested and sentenced to death on similar charges, only after it was proved that they were bonafide fishermen.” 

Rameswaram mechanised fishing vessel owners’ association president S Emerit said “we strongly condemn smuggling by fishermen. The state government should take severe action to prevent this in future. Country boats not being accountable is the reason for such incident which earn fishermen a bad name. Similar to the stringent control exercised over mechanised vessels, like tokens, and names and numbers of fishermen venturing out to sea should also be followed for country boats” he added. 

“The usual practice was for the rich to entice fishermen to indulge in smuggling, promising them good returns. Touch government action alone could settle this issue” he averred. TN Kadalora Visai Padagu Meenavar Sangam state general secretary NJ Bose strongly condemning the smuggling incident and said “only country boats are involved in this whereas mechanised vessels issues are about crossing territorial waters. That they can escape surveillance by the navy and coast guard reveals their contacts and their strategy.”