Indian fishermen want bilateral talks to be held soon

The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) in India said the fourth round of bilateral talks between fishermen of India and Sri Lanka should be held without any delay, The Hindu newspaper reported.

Addressing media, NFF Chairperson, M. Elango said Sri Lanka had detained 81 boats of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry since last February and 27 fishermen have been under the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.

 “The boats are all beyond repair. Since these were all bought through private loans, the fishermen owners who are of the lower middle class have been pushed to the brink,” said Elango.

Expressing solidarity with the fishermen who announced picketing before the Sri Lankan Embassy in Chennai, he pointed out that fishermen have been unhappy as the Union government has failed to find a solution to their problems in the last two years.