Rameswaram Fishermen Announce Indefinite Strike and Hunger Protest

Fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district have announced an indefinite strike and a continuous hunger protest, demanding the immediate release of Indian fishermen and fishing boats currently detained by Sri Lankan authorities.

At an emergency consultation meeting, representatives of Rameswaram’s mechanised boat fishermen’s associations decided to launch an indefinite strike from August 30.

The fishermen are demanding the immediate release of all fishermen from Rameswaram who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing and are currently in Sri Lankan custody, along with the release of their boats.

They are also demanding financial compensation for mechanised fishing boats seized by the Sri Lankan authorities, similar to the relief assistance provided by the previous government.

Another key demand is the resumption of India-Sri Lanka fishermen’s talks, which, according to the fishermen, have remained stalled for nearly a decade.

As part of their protest, the fishermen have also announced a continuous hunger strike from September 1 at Thangachimadam, reiterating their demands and urging the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the long-standing fishermen’s dispute.

The fishermen’s associations said the protests would continue until their demands are addressed.