Tamil Nadu Fishermen Stage Hunger Strike Demanding Release from Sri Lankan Custody

Fishermen and villagers in Tamil Nadu's Tharuvaikulam staged a hunger strike, demanding the release of 22 fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. They seek government intervention for lifting court fines and recovering seized boats. Shops stayed closed, and protestors plan to meet with the Tamil Nadu Governor.

The fishermen community and villagers in Tharuvaikulam, Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district, launched a one-day hunger strike on Monday, demanding the release of fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. The protestors are scheduled to meet with the Tamil Nadu Governor tomorrow to seek intervention. Local shops also remained closed in solidarity.

Murugan, a protestor, told ANI that the central and state governments need to cancel the fines imposed by the Sri Lankan court and ensure the recovery of two powerboats seized along with the release of 22 fishermen. He explained that the fishermen, detained last month off Tharuvaikulam, were accused of entering Sri Lankan waters, handed to the Kalpiti Fisheries Department, and are now held at Wariyapola Jail with ongoing trials in the Puttalam District Kalpitiya Tourism Court.

The protestors revealed that the Sri Lankan court has fined 12 fishermen Rs 42 lakh (Rs 1.5 crore in Sri Lankan currency) and sentenced them to six months in default payment. They are demanding relief from this fine and the release of all detained fishermen.

(With inputs from agencies.)