Fishermen want 42-year-long fight to end; seek govt. support for their livelihood and safety in Palk Bay for fishing

Appealing to the Union and Tamil Nadu governments to wholeheartedly work to support their livelihood, the fishermen from Rameswaram, with their families, observed a day-long fast on Independence Day in the coastal district.

The families, some among them, recalled the ordeals they have been undergoing due to the arrest of their kith and kin by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel on charges of poaching. “We are traditional fishermen from Tamil Nadu. We have been fishing along the Palk Bay from time immemorial. For the last 42 years due to various reasons, the fishermen are being arrested. We have no security at all. In our own country, we are treated like denizens. We wish the trauma ends with us and the next generation lives safe and secure,” said Jesu Raja, a fishermen leader.

He said that the fishermen should be permitted to fish in Katchatheevu. “We know, it has been given to the island nation long ago. The government, if it steps in sincerely, the issue can be sorted out in no time. Considering our livelihood, the Union government should impress its counterpart in Sri Lanka, he appealed.

After the annual ban was lifted two months ago, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel, under the guise of poaching, had arrested 64 fishermen. The trawlers have also been impounded. Under the pretext of punishing repeat offenders, 24 fishermen were jailed for six months, one and two years under multiple charges. Hefty fines were also imposed.

Under such circumstances, the fishermen had no other choice but to give up the profession and look out for alternatives, else spend the remaining days in poverty and debt for the rest of their lives.

The members wore black badges and said that when the country celebrated its Independence, the fishermen in this region, were yet to get their freedom. As a mark of protest and to draw the attention of the governments, they announced the fast.

The fishermen leaders said that the agitations would continue and in the next few days they would resort to rail roko agitation as well.