Fishermen demand steps to release Tamil Nadu men in Lankan jails

In two days, December 20 and 21, 36 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy. The arrests have brought a rude shock to fishermen community across the state. Fishermen in Rameswaram have commenced an indefinite strike from Wednesday evening with the demand of immediate release of arrested fishermen and boats. On December 22, with the same demands fishermen staged a protest at Rameswaram. 

Kin of the arrested fishermen also participated in the protest. Leaders claimed that one of the arrested fishermen was ailing and has had an open-heart surgery. His health condition might worsen if he is unable to take his regular medicines and his family would lose the sole breadwinner, said the fishermen leaders. They were disappointed that despite talks between the two governments the arrest of fishermen continues and no solution seems to be in sight. Therefore, the state and central governments should immediately take steps to release the fishermen. If they fail, a large scale protest would be conducted in the coming days warned the fishermen.