The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : 15 fishermen return to Rameswaram

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

15 fishermen return to Rameswaram

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

RAMANATHAPURAM, OCT 9. Fifteen fishermen, who were arrested on Tuesday on charges of entering Sri Lankan waters, returned to Rameswaram today.

The Director of Fisheries A. S. Jeevarathinam, district officials and representatives of various fishermen associations received them at the Mandapam Coast Guard Camp amidst cheers from the locals.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan Navy formally handed over the fishermen to the Indian Coast Guard near Katchathivu around 12 noon today.

The fishermen thanked the State, Centre and political parties for their efforts. U. Krishnan, one of the 15 released fishermen, said they were treated "well" by the Lankan authorities.

`No' to appeal

Earlier, the fishermen associations had turned down the Government's request to withdraw their agitation protesting the alleged attacks on fishermen by the Lankan security agencies.

The fishermen, on strike since last Wednesday, however, agreed to convene a meeting of the representatives of all associations on Monday to decide on continuing the agitation.

At a meeting held at the Ramanathapuram Collector's office, Mr. Jeevarathinam appealed to the fishermen to return to work, promising that the State Government would safeguard their interests. He said the Chief Minister initiated a series of actions to secure the release of 20 fishermen of Rameswaram ``detained'' by the Sri Lankan Navy. The Government would take concerted action to secure the release of 9 fishermen including four belonging to Rameswaram and four from Nagapattinum and their boats.

While appreciating the Government's effort to provide medical treatment to a fisherman, who was shot at by the Lankan Navy, the fishermen expressed dissatisfaction over problems faced by them while fishing in mid-sea. The president of the Rameswaram fishermen cooperative association, N. Devadoss, said "instead of giving treatment after the shooting, why not the State and Centre take precautionary actions."

Fish population

They also demanded that the Centre take all efforts to create an atmosphere conducive for the Tamil Nadu fishermen to fish near the northeast of Sri Lanka as the fish and shrimp population in the Indian side had dwindled over a period of time. "Knowingly or unknowingly, we cross the International Maritime Boundary Line, braving the danger. It is because of our livelihood. We have no other way," said the fishermen. While cautioning the fishermen not to cross the IMBL, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Stephenson, said the Coast Guard would give protection to the fishermen fishing in the Indian side.

Later, Mr. Jeevarathinam said the demand of the Rameshwaram fishermen to form a delegation consisting fishermen of various coastal areas of Tamil Nadu to press their demand with the Centre and the Sri Lankan Government would be brought to the State Government's notice.

Speaking to newspersons, he said the State Government would explore all avenues to find a permanent solution. Terming the indefinite protest by fishermen "serious", he said 79 fishermen had been killed in the 158 shooting incidents that took place around the IMBL between1991 and 2004.

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