Northern fishermen stage protest against Indian bottom trawling in North

Northern fishermen unions representing islands staged a collective protest today in front of the Fisheries Department office demanding authorities to take tough action against Indian fishermen who frequently engage in bottom trawling in Northern territorial waters. 

The protest which commenced from the Fisheries Department office proceeded towards the Jaffna District Secretariat and later to the Governor's Secretariat where petitions were handed over to officials representing those institutions. Thereafter, the protesters marched towards the Indian Consulate General office in Jaffna as well and handed over the petition.

Fishermen from Northern islands — Delft, Nainathivu, Eluvaithivu, Mandaithivu, Kayts and Punkudithivu took part in the protest against ongoing illegal mechanised bottom trawling by Indian fishermen in the Northern sea.

In the petition, the fishermen alleged that Indian fisherfolk engage in bottom trawling at the expense of their livelihood throughout the week despite the government announced to take tough action in recent past. (Pix by N. Lohathayalan)