Tamil Nadu fishermen to go back to sea

Tamil Nadu fishermen decided to give up their strike and return to their day- to-day fishing activities after meeting their Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and P.M. Amza, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Southern India, based in Chennai.

Subsequent to yesterday's meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi, Rameshwaram fishermen on strike since July 3 decided to withdraw the strike and get back to their day-to-day business from July 19. The representatives of the Fishermen Association also held a discussion with Amza.

It is understood that the Chief Minister has promised to increase compensation for fishermen who died from Rs.100,000 to Rs.300,000 and promised to take action to release the five fishermen who are in jail in Sri Lanka.

During the discussion, Amza, explained to the fishermen the problems faced by the Sri Lanka Navy in the sea from LTTE and the need to protect the sovereignty of the country.

He is also reported to have explained the fact that the Sri Lankan Government has banned fishing in certain areas of the Sri Lankan seas where poaching of the Tamil Nadu fishermen takes place regularly.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Sri Lankan Government to treat Tamil Nadu fishermen in a humanitarian manner and informed that on more than five occasions the Sri Lanka Navy has helped Indian fishermen in distress in Sri Lankan waters.

In the wake of the capture of Vidattaltivu, strategically an important coastal town which functioned as a major base for the LTTE sea operation until yesterday, military experts based in Chennai have stated that it was a turning point in military operations. Asian Tribune