Over 3,000 Indian fishermen of various hamlets launched an indefinite fast in front of the Head Post Office in Nagapattinam today in protest against the arrest of 107 fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy on December 11.
The fishermen were on indefinite work boycott for the seventh day, demanding that the government announced a date for talks between the fishermen of the two countries.
Representatives of SDPI, CPI(M) and BJP also participated in the hunger fast.
A total of 350 fishermen of Akkaraipettai and neighbouring hamlets in the district put out to sea on six boats on Dec 9 and were arrested off Kodiakarai on December 11 by the naval personnel.
A total of 243 fishermen were released some hours later. The others along with their 16 boats were taken to Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, fishermen association sources said.
Yesterday DMK had organised a one-day strike in Nagapattinam, demanding the release of the 107 fishermen. - PTI/The Hindu
