INDIAN FISHERMEN THREATEN TO SEEK ‘ASYLUM’ IN SL

Frustrated by the frequent arrest of fishermen from Tamil Nadu allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy and the delay in their release, fishermen in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu on Saturday said that they might have to seek ‘asylum’ in Sri Lanka if the governments at the State and Centre fail to secure the release of 65 fishermen currently in prison in the island nation.

Members of the fishing community belonging to eight habitations of the Nagapattinam block, who were on an indefinite strike demanding the release of the jailed fishermen, held a Kudankulam-style offshore protest by lining up over 400 boats at sea bearing black flags. The fishing community has been on strike since the July 30 arrest of the fishermen from Nagapattinam and Karaikal.

“If the fishermen are not released on August 21, the date up to which they have been remanded, we will hoist white flags on our boats and move en masse into Sri Lankan waters as “refugees of livelihood,” Gauthaman of Keechankuppam said. While over 400 mechanised and fibre boats, bearing black flags, lined up on the waves, several hundred women dotted the beach with black flags.

The fishermen have also demanded that a joint Committee of the Centre and the State, along with fishing representatives from both countries, be constituted to arrive at an amicable arrangement

The women played out mournful acts of bereavement and loss and demanded justice for their men. According to them, the repeated attacks were assaults on their traditional way of life and their right to livelihood. If the governments could guarantee them life and security, they should be given government jobs for sustenance, the women said in unison. At the same time, several hundred other boats remained docked in the harbour of Keechankuppam here for the 10th day. Speaking to The Hindu on their charter of demands, Manoharan, a fishing community leader from Akkarapettai, said a permanent solution would have to be found in the form of ‘seasonal fishing rights’ to avoid conflicts.