Shops and traders in Nagapattinam and Nagore are closed today, in solidarity with the over 3000 fisher folk protesting since Saturday for the release of over 100 fishermen, arrested and detained by the Sri Lankan Navy earlier this month.
Twenty fisher women were admitted to the Nagapattinam General Hospital after fainting, where they were visited by the Fisheries Minister K.A. Jayapal.
A delegation of fishermen are to meet with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today, who had described the mass arrest as a 'near war like' act.
The solidarity strike by traders was endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and Traders Association.
Responding to the increasing condemnation of the arrest from Tamil Nadu politicians, the Sri Lankan Navy Chief, replied, "we are only protecting ourselves". See here for his full comments.