CHENNAI: Leaders of fishermen associations in Tamil Nadu are pinning hopes on the ministerial level talks between Sri Lanka and India scheduled for January 2 at Colombo for immediate resolution of two prime issues - release of arrested fishermen and the impounded boats precariously berthed for about two years.
“Let other issues on fishing between the two countries take their own course. What we immediately expect is the release of 22 fishermen as well as the 110 boats kept carelessly by Lankan authorities,” P Jesuraja, secretary, All Mechanised Boats Association, Ramanathapuram district, told Express.
Explaining the grave situation, he said, “around 20 to 25 families depend upon a boat for their livelihood. Each boat costs between `20 to 40 lakh. These families have lost their source of income. Of the 110 boats, eight are country boats and the rest mechanised vessels. Of these, around 10 belonged to Puducherry fishermen. Further, at least 80 boats have been under Lankan custody for over two years.”
According to him, either the Central government should either provide compensation for damages to boats or get it from Lanka.
S Emerit, president, Meenavan Mechanised Boats Association, said till the UPA government was in power at the Centre, boats seized were released then and there. “But after the BJP government assumed office in 2014, Colombo had started the practice of not releasing the boats. Fishermen arrested were also released then. The present government seems to be not interested in this issue at all,” he bemoaned.
Though a host of issues were discussed during the talks between the representatives of fishermen from Lanka and Tamil Nadu held in November, he, however, said no consensus was arrived.
U Arulanandam, president, Alliance for the Release of Innocent Fishermen, was skeptical about the outcome of the forthcoming ministerial level talks. “Change of governments at the Centre brings no change in our lives. Successive governments have failed to ensure the very basic rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in Katchatheevu,” he rued.