Approximately 50,000 Indian fishermen have launched an indefinite strike today demanding the Sri Lankan government release their arrested colleagues.
Fishermen from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, three days after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 16 fishermen and detained 3 of their boats.
Leaders from 11 different fishing associations met and announced the strike, as well as appealing to the Indian government to take steps to ensure that the fishermen are protected from the Sri Lankan navy.
See our earlier posts:
Sri Lankan navy arrest 16 Indian fishermen (01 Sep 2015)
12 Tamil Nadu fishermen attacked by Sri Lankan navy (25 Aug 2015)
India criticises Sri Lanka’s ‘use of force’ against Tamil Nadu fishermen (24 Jun 2015)
Sri Lanka PM reiterates navy can shoot Indian fishermen in its waters (16 March 2015)
Indian parliament expresses outrage over Sri Lankan PM defending shooting of fishermen (09 March 2015)