(NewsRadio); Several trade unions and fishermen have observed a day-long fast in Thangachimadam, Rameshwaran demanding the Indian government to take steps to retrieve the 109 mechanised boats held in Sri Lankan custody.
Unions have urged the Indian Prime Minister to arrange a meeting with the Sri Lankan government to bring back their 109 mechanised boats lying in the ports since 2018.
Indian media reports said fishermen have claimed that though those who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel on charges of poaching were let off after a fortnight or so, the boats, fishnets and the catch were never returned.
The Sri Lankan authorities handed over the properties to the custody of the courts. Only the fishermen released from the prisons returned home.
The protesting fishermen have said, since 2018, neither the boats were returned nor compensation was given to the boat owners by the government.
Protesters have said the Indian government should exert pressure on its Sri Lanka counterparts and help retrieve the impounded boats at the earliest.
A delegation comprising fishermen from various regions recently met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai and stressed the need for financial assistance to affected fishermen.
They sought the Chief Minister to intervene with the Indian Central Government and examine the modalities to solve the issue with Sri Lanka amicably in the larger interests of the fishermen community.
The fishermen leaders have also passed a resolution to meet Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to press their demands.
