Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

42 more fishermen `abducted'

By P.S. Suresh Kumar

RAMANATHAPURAM March 5 . Rameswaram fishermen did not venture into the sea for the second day today, protesting ``abduction'' of another 42 colleagues. The total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by Sri Lanka in the past two days is well over a hundred. The protesters were agitated at "the inordinate delay" in the release of the "captured" friends.

<167,9,3><167,9,3>A repeat of the "mid-sea incidents" and the attack on fishermen as well as seizure of vessels have sparked both tension and panic in the coastal areas. Various associations and cooperative societies have urged the Central and State Governments to take immediate steps to secure the release of the fishermen.

<167,9,3><167,9,3>They have called for talks with authorities from not only Sri Lanka but also neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

<167,9,3><167,9,3>Another suggestion is to mark the Indo-Sri Lanka international boundary with floats to help the fishermen keep off the territory. The fishermen's associations have also decided to stage a road roko here on Friday, demanding prompt action by the Central and State Governments.

<167,9,3><167,9,3>A spokesman for one of the groups said the first contingent of 76 mechanised boats was attacked near Katchatheevu by Sri Lankan fishermen, who came in over 60 fibreglass boats. Based on a complaint from five fishermen, who returned yesterday, the Assistant Director of Fisheries took up the issue with the authorities in Chennai. The focus here has shifted to the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen over Katchatheevu.

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