Nagapattinam (TN): Thousands of fishermen of
two coastal districts did not venture into the sea for the
second consecutive day on Thursday in protest against detention of
136 fishermen in Sri Lanka in the last two days.
Sri Lankan Police had yesterday detained 24 Indian
fishermen, taking the total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen in
their custody in the past two days to 136.
Alleging that the Tamil Nadu fishermen have been abducted,
fishermen's representatives of Nagapattinam and Karaikal
districts said they would continue their stir till all 136
fishermen were released.
The fishermen hail from Akkaraipettai, Keechankuppam and
Kilinjalmedu hamlets.
Fishermen's representatives from Akkaraipettai and
Keechankuppam hamlets proceeded to Chennai to meet Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in a bid to find a solution to
the issue, while others from Kilinjalmedu in Karaikal district
have gone to Puducherry to meet Chief Minister V Vaithilingam.
Meanwhile, a fishermen who escaped being caught, but was
injured, managed to arrive at nearby Kottapattinam and has
been hospitalised.
In Nagapattinam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi cadres
staged a demonstration in front of the head post office today
condemning the "abduction" of the fishermen and burnt an
effigy of Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The District Congress committee also staged demonstration
demanding the immediate release of the fishermen.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 22:09