Fishermen in Tamil Nadu launched an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday, demanding the release of fishermen and boats, currently in the custody of the Sri Lankan navy, the Times of India reported.
The district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, B Jesuraja, told the paper they "were helpless and have to resort to strike as their boats are held by the Sri Lanka navy on every other day. While the Island nation releases fishermen after a few days of their arrests, the boats are confiscated, crippling their livelihood."
On Monday Jayalalithaa, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, called on the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to secure the release of the fishing boats, describing it as a "deliberate strategy of the Sri Lankan government to destroy the primary means of livelihood of Indian fishermen."
See related articles:
38 Indian fishermen arrested (22 July 2014)
SL navy arrest 39 Tamil Nadu fishermen (July 2014)
Jaya urges Modi to secure release of 64 fishermen arrest by SL navy (25 June 2014)
Jayalalithaa slams renewed fishermen arrests by Sri Lanka (19 June 2014)
India committed to 'permanent solution' over fishermen arrests(16 June 2014)
Sri Lanka releases fishermen as Jaya calls for 'strong response'(09 June 2014)
Sri Lankan Navy arrests dozens of Indian fishermen (08 June 2014)
Sri Lanka releases Tamil Nadu fishermen amidst condemnation form Jayalalithaa (05 June 2014)
Jaya urges Modi to take 'strong and robust' response to fishermen arrest (01 Jun 2014)
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