Rameswaram fishermen to go on strike from February 28 as talks with govt. fail

A peace committee meeting between officials of the Revenue, Police and Fisheries departments and leaders of fishermen associations was convened in Rameswaram on Thursday

A peace committee meeting between officials of the Revenue, Police and Fisheries departments and leaders of fishermen associations was convened in Rameswaram on Thursday (February 27, 2025) to convince the latter to drop or postpone their proposed indefinite hunger strike from Friday (February 28, 2025). The talks, however, failed, with the associations going ahead with the strike in protest against the frequent arrests of fishermen and the seizing of their trawlers by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The fishermen leaders at the meeting said they would not venture into the sea unless there was a firm commitment from the Union government with regard to their demands. “Let a [Union] minister come down here and give us an assurance on our demands,” Jesu Raja, a fishermen leader, said.

Mr. Raja said fishermen have been struggling since the 1980s, and since 2014, over 500 boats have been impounded and hundreds of fishermen engaged in fishing in the traditional Palk Straits arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. “We require a clarification from the Union government as to whether we can venture into the sea or not,” he said.

The fishermen leaders had already suggested they be allowed to fish in Katchatheevu for the next 100 years on a lease. They had also requested for a meeting with fishermen from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Though former External Affairs Minister Sushma had promised this, the meeting never took place, they said.

Another fishermen leader Sagayaraj, who was at the peace meeting, told The Hindu they would stage a demonstration on Friday and launch a 24X7 relay hunger strike. “We will stage the sit-in round the clock in front of Thangachimadam Valasai bus stand.”

“Unless there was a firm assurance on safety and security, there is no point in venturing into the sea, as the Sri Lankan Navy personnel have not only been harming us, but also making our lives miserable. We have lost everything. There is nothing more to give up except our lives,” he said.

Many women from fishing families will also join the strike on Friday, Mr. Sagayaraj said, adding it would be conducted in a democratic way, seeking a categorical response from the governments.