Mechanised boats fishermen's assn withdraw stir

The Mechanised boat fishermen association members here today withdrew their three-day-old strike following talks with the state minister Manikandan.
The minister assured them that their cyclone relief funds will be distributed shortly and urged them to withdraw their indefinite strike, according to Tamil Nadu-Puducherry fishermen's association secretary N.J.Bose.
He said the minister also assured them about taking up other demands including release of the state fishermen from Sri Lankan prisons.
The fishermen were on strike for the past three days to press for various demands and protesting over issues, including alleged lack of proper medical treatment of some colleagues lodged in Sri Lanka prisons.

Bose said 89 fishermen lodged in prisons at Jaffna, Paruthithurai and Vavuniya had complained to their families of lack of proper medical treatment.
They alleged 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.