Rameswaram fishermen go on strike over Sri Lanka Navy arrests

Fishermen in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, have launched an indefinite strike, demanding the rapid launch of their colleagues arrested by the Sri Lankan navy.

That is following the arrest of 32 fishermen from Rameswaram by the Sri Lankan Navy on 23 February, Sunday. 5 mechanised fishing boats have been additionally seized by the Sri Lanka’s Navy.

As a part of the protest, 700 mechanised boat fishermen have suspended operations, retaining their vessels docked alongside the shore. In line with leaders of fishermen’s associations, the strike is anticipated to end in a day by day income lack of roughly Rs 1 crore, impacting over 10,000 employees within the fishing trade.

A consultative assembly of the mechanised boat fishermen’s associations was held on Sunday on the Rameswaram fishing harbour. The associations unanimously determined to halt fishing actions till the detained fishermen have been launched.

The protesters have urged the Centre to take rapid motion in opposition to the repeated arrests of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and to make sure their security. V.P. Sesuraja, president of the Conventional Indian Fishermen Welfare Affiliation, acknowledged that Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on 4 separate events this month alone. Because the starting of 2025, a complete of 119 fishermen and 16 boats have been apprehended.

It isn’t the fisherfolk’s first strike both.