TRICHY: Condemning the continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka despite that country’s internal turmoil, MDMK leader Vaiko has urged the central government to take immediate steps to release all the fishermen languishing in jails there.
“The people of Sri Lanka are fighting against their government and the country's government machinery is collapsing. But the Sinhalese navy continues to arrest and imprison our fishermen and confiscate trawlers,” Vaiko said. Twelve fishermen from Karaikal and Mayiladuthurai were arrested along with their trawlers on July 1. Five fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested on July 4 and six more near Dhanushkodi on July 21, he stated.
“Condemning the arrests, fishermen of Rameswaram have begun an indefinite strike from July 23, resulting in loss of revenue and livelihood,” he said. The Union government is not doing anything to stop Sri Lankan Navy from trespassing into Indian waters and arresting our fishermen,” he alleged. tnn
