Rameswaram fishermen, who had launched an indefinite strike along with Pudukottai, Nagapattinam and Karaikal fishermen on December 16, demanding the release of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen held in the two countries, resumed fishing on Saturday, ending their 10-day long strike.

After the Tamil Nadu government had ordered the release of 30 Sri Lankan fishermen and the Sri Lankan government reciprocated the gesture by releasing 66 Tamil Nadu fishermen, ahead of Christmas, leaders of fishermen associations met in Rameswaram on Friday and decided to end the strike.

On Saturday morning, about 3,500 fishermen set out in the Palk Bay. They are expected to return on Sunday morning after night-long fishing. Official sources said the Fisheries Department issued fishing permits to 678 trawlers.

Thanking the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan governments for releasing the fishermen, the leaders expressed regret that their boats were still impounded in the two countries. They also expressed concern over the detention of 15 Karaikal fishermen, while ordering the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

“Though only part of our demands was met, we have decided to resume fishing considering the problems faced by the fishermen in the absence of fishing activities,” P. Sesu Raja, a fisherman leader, said. The leaders adopted a resolution urging the Sri Lankan government to release all the 87 trawlers and not to arrest fishermen when they set out for fishing in the Palk Bay, he said.

Fishermen of Jagadapattinam in Pudukottai also withdrew the stir and resumed fishing. According to official sources, the Jagadapattinam fishermen, numbering a little over 230, ventured into the sea on Saturday.

While Rameswaram and Pudukottai district called off the strike, their counterparts in Nagapattinam and Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry continued the strike, protesting the non-release of Karaikal fishermen. – The Hindu