Rameswaram fishermen's protest enters third day

Scores of fishermen continued their protest for the third day here today against the killing of one of their colleagues allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy and demanded that a representative of the Centre visit them.
The protesters sought an assurance from the Centre that the fishermen would not be attacked by the Sri Lankan naval personnel while fishing in the Palk Straits.
They refused to accept the body of 22-year-old Bridgo, who was shot dead on Monday allegedly by Lankan Navy personnel, while he was fishing in a mechanised boat at a short distance off the Katchatheevu islet.
The local fishermen's associations announced to continue their agitation till the Centre intervened and the culprits involved in the firing incident were arrested.

Meanwhile, two Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard for allegedly fishing off the Vedaranyam coast, the Fisheries department said today.
Leaders of political parties, including VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan, visited the protest venue at nearby Thangachimadam and expressed solidarity with the fishermen.

"It is regrettable that no one from the Centre has come to console the family of the deceased.
"The accused must be punished as per international laws," he told reporters after meeting the protesters.
Thirumavalavan claimed that nearly 900 Indian fishermen were killed in the last 25 years and urged the Centre for steps to protect their traditional fishing rights.

(REOPENS MDS 9)
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at the Madurai airport, Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan said retrieving the Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka alone would not solve the problems of the fishermen.
Referring to various political leaders extending their support to the fishermen's protest, he said the issue should not be politicised as it would only worsen the situation.
The protesters should understand that the Centre was taking steps to resolve their issue, he added.