Image source-TOI
Fishers from Kottaipattinam and Jegathapattinam villages in Pudukkottai district went on a strike Monday by refusing to go to the sea as usual. This step was to back their colleagues in Rameswaram, who started an indefinite strike on Sunday.
The demonstration was against the continued arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching. Deep concern was expressed by the fishermen of Pudukottai who gave an account of the recent sentencing of three fishermen to jail by a Sri Lankan court for alleged “repeat offences of poaching,” despite the release of 20 fishermen from Rameswaram. The Coastal Security Group sources stated that there were no mechanized trawlers at Kottaipattinam and Jegathapattinam.
Hasan Mohideen, the president of the Mechanised Boat Owners and Fishermen Nala Sangam in Kottaipattinam, said that the strike is about unity. He observed the common problem of fishermen from Pudukottai, who are often arrested while fishing.
Mr. Mohideen asked the Centre for immediate intervention for the release of the detained fishermen stating their significant contribution to the government revenue and the need to protect their livelihoods and ensure security. The strike serves as a united voice of coastal communities, calling for justice and protection of their livelihoods as tensions escalate with neighbouring countries.