The Country Boat Fishermen Association in Pamban has begun an indefinite strike today, demanding the immediate release of 35 fishermen detained in Sri Lanka on poaching charges.
S.P. Rayappan, the association president, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation while in New Delhi with a delegation to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other officials. Despite the Centre’s strong protests and efforts to secure the fishermen’s release, the new incident has caused significant frustration and unrest among the fisherfolk.
Rayappan criticized the situation, noting that, despite the Union government’s support for Sri Lanka during its economic crisis and the Tamil Nadu government’s assistance to displaced persons, the treatment of the fishermen under what he called ‘false’ accusations was both unfair and regrettable. The 35 Indian fishermen were recently apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly entering Sri Lankan waters illegally.
