Fishermen representatives meet Jaya

Representatives of fishermen from three districts today called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to discuss issues such as release of their counterparts detained by Sri Lankan Navy.
A state government release here said representatives from Nagapattinam, Pudukottai and Rameswaram met Jayalalithaa and thanked her for her efforts for the welfare of the community including ensuring the release of fishermen languishing in Iranian prison and providing them with financial assistance.
Later, the representatives told reporters that they had also taken up the recent arrest of Indian fishermen by Lankan navy and sought steps for their release.
She had assured action, they added.

Fishermen in Nagapattinam are on indefinite fast since December 21 demanding release of 210 of their counterparts arrested by Sri Lankan Navy over the past few months.
Shops in Nagapattinam and Nagore remained closed today in response to a dawn-to-dusk hartal call given by the Chamber of Commerce and Traders Association in solidarity with protesting fishermen.