Fishermen to boycott fishing demanding release of colleagues

 Fishermen here have decided to boycott fishing indefinitely from today demanding release of 53 of their colleagues, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy during the last two days for allegedly entering its waters illegally.

A meeting of the Mechanised Boat Fishermen's Association also decided to picket Central government offices if the fishermen were not released by Thursday next.

Tamil Nadu Mechanised Fishermen's Association President N J Bose said the meeting urged the Central and state governments to take immediate steps for the release of the fishermen.

The Sri Lankan had yesterday arrested 34 Tamil fishermen for allegedly entering its waters illegally. They had on Wednesday captured 19 fishermen on charges of "trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters".