Over 2,000 fishermen hold demonstration

(July 11, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Over 2,000 fishermen held a demonstration on the Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram demanding that the Coast Guard provide them security while fishing in the Palk Strait in view of the alleged attacks by Sri Lankan Navy. The demonstrators, under the banner of various fishermen associations along with 400 members of several political parties, protested the July 2 incident when around 1,000 fishermen from Rameswaram were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel in the Palk Strait.

Though the fishermen had earlier announced that they would stage a 'road roko' on the bridge, connecting this island town with the mainland, they only held a demonstration after the district officials warned that anyone blocking road traffic would be arrested. Armed policemen were deployed in large numbers near the bridge.

The fishermen, who are on an indefinite strike from July 4 to press their demands, would hold talks with the Fisheries Secretary on July 14 and the decision arrived at the meeting would be taken to the notice of the Chief Minister.
- Sri Lanka Guardian