Fishermen in Rameshwaram have launched an indefinite strike today, protesting the continued arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and demanding the immediate release of those currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka.
The strike comes just 55 days after the end of the annual fishing ban period, during which time the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 61 fishermen and seized nine mechanised boats, accusing them of crossing the maritime boundary.
Condemning what they describe as a sustained campaign of harassment, the mechanised boat fishermen have refused to return to sea until all those detained are released along with their vessels.
As a result, over 600 mechanised fishing boats remain anchored at Rameshwaram harbour, with more than 20,000 fishermen and over 100,000 workers reliant on the fishing trade left without work. Local fishermen estimate that the suspension of deep-sea fishing operations is causing a daily loss of around one crore rupees in foreign exchange earnings.
They have warned of escalating their protests if there is no swift action. Plans include a demonstration on 13 August, a hunger strike on 15 August, and a rail blockade on 19 August.
