Tamil Nadu fishermen who have faced repeated arrests by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly crossing territorial waters, rallied Indian political figures, urging them to take a stand in support of their cause.
Local leaders in the coastal town of Rameswaram and leaders of fishermens associations met with politicians on Monday.
"We condemn the central government for taking a stand of refusing to intervene in releasing our fishermen when they trespass into Sri Lankan waters for their livelihood and demand compensation for boats damaged in Sri Lankan custody," the Ramanathapuram district secretary of Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, B Jesuraja, was quoted by TOI as saying.
According to the paper, a meeting between the External Affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj and the fishermen was not productive.
"The minister asked us not to venture into Sri Lankan waters and carry out fishing in Indian waters but there is no fish in our waters," TOI quoted a fisherman from Rameswaram, D Arockiam, as saying.
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