Mechanised boats fishermen's assn to continue indefinite stir

A mechanised boats fishermen's association today decided to continue their indefinite stir to press for various demands, including over alleged poor medical treatment of some colleagues lodged in Sri Lanka prisons.
N J Bose, Secretary of Tamil Nadu-puducherry mechanised boats fishermen's association said 89 fishermen lodged in prisons at Jaffna, Paruthithurai and Vavuniya had complained to their families of lack of proper medical treatment.
They said that instead of being taken to hospitals for treatment,prison authorities were themselves giving medicines and sought the help of the Government and association to rescue them, he said.
The fishermen also said government had not given them cyclone relief though they paid Rs 1,800 in instalments.

Every year the fishermen pay this amount as savings to the Fishermen Cooperative Credit Society. In the rainy season, Central and state governments each contribute Rs 2,700 to provide total relief of Rs 4,500 each to the fishermen.
The association also wanted withdrawal of the 12 per cent GST on dry fish and fishing nets and they be given diesel subsidy.
The fishermen have been on strike for the past three days and were to resume work today, but decided to continue their stir as the central and state governments were 'indifferent' to their demands.