Expressing dismay over the continued arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and detention of their boats, Rameswaram fishermen have decided to boycott the two-day annual Katchatheevu festival at St Antony’s Church in the islet on March 11 and 12 and launch an indefinite strike from March 7, seeking the release of all arrested fishermen and boats, The Hindu reported.
Hours after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 24 fishermen, including 15 from the island,, leaders of 11 mechanised boat fishermen associations met and adopted a resolution to boycott the festival and not to lend their boats for the pilgrimage.
“We will stick to the boycott decision if the State and Central governments failed to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government and secure the release of the 85 fishermen, including 24 arrested on Saturday night and 128 trawlers detained for more than two years” they said.
The leaders adopted resolutions to strike work from March 7 and stage ‘rail roko’ agitation by squatting on the Pamban rail bridge on March 11, to draw the attention of the Centre, Mr P Sesu Raja, a fishermen leader said.
-Agencies
