Fishermen abstain from fishing as mark of protest

Enraged fishermen at Tarangambadi area in the district demanded concrete action by the Central and State governments following the killing of Pandian yesterday after the Sri Lankan Navy allegedly opened fire 14 knots off Jagadipattinam, from where the victim set off to fish along with two of this friends.

While Pandian, belonging to the hamlet of Chinnagudi, was killed on the spot, his two friends escaped, Fisheries department officials said.

"It is time for action from the (Central and State) governments. We are tired of hearing fancy rhetoric. Unless the governments initiate action to protect our lives, we will have to give up fishing entirely," said Senthil, one of the numerous fishermen gathered at Jagadipattinam.

As news of Pandian's death reached Chinnagudi, a large number of fishermen belonging to the hamlet rushed to Jagadapattinam along with Revathi, the 19-year-old sister of the victim.

Pandian's killing allegedly by the Lankan Navy has infuriated the people of several fishing hamlets near Tarangambadi.

In a condolence meeting at the village, many fishermen said the livelihood of the Tamil Nadu fishermen is being crushed by the Lankan Navy.Recalling the attacks on fishermen in the past, including the killing of two fishermen of Arucottuthurai hamlet near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district in July 2008, the fishermen sought concrete action from the Central and State Governments "to stop the atrocities of the Lankan Navy."