Peace talks between fishermen from Rameswaram and Karaikal held

Fishermen from Rameswaram and Karaikal with officials at a meeting in Ramanathapuram on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
L. BALACHANDAR

In an effort to bring in peace and to ensure law and order in mid-sea, the officials from the Revenue and Fisheries departments held a peace talk involving fishermen from Rameswaram and Karaikal here on Friday.

A few weeks ago, when some fishers from Karaikal district in Puducherry allegedly entered into Dhanushkodi waters, the Rameswaram fishermen apprehended the vessel and brought the 10 fishermen to the shores. After handing over the vessel to the Fisheries Department officials, they demanded an undertaking that the Karaikal fishermen would carry on with fishing activities only in their domain and the fishermen were sent to their home by road.

The fishermen operating mechanised vessels in Ramanathapuram district said that from time immemorial, fishers belonging to Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts ventured into the Palk Straits for fishing thrice a day. The country boat fishermen were earmarked for the remaining four days.

Under such an arrangement, some fishermen from the far-off Karaikal district ventured into the Palk Straits in big vessels. By staying in the seas for 10 to 15 days in long vessels, the Karaikal fishermen not only spoilt the livelihood of the fishermen in the three districts, but also created hindrance that the Sri Lankan Navy also chased them away.

In the recent times, the long vessels, which are used to deep sea fishing, had damaged the sea course and irked the fishermen in northern province of Sri Lanka. For the violations committed by the Karaikal fishermen, the Rameswaram fishers landed in trouble and were caught in trouble.

Hence, considering the challenges, the fishermen here insisted that Karaikal fishermen engaged in fishing only in their area – south of Kodiakarai region.

Ramanathapuram Deputy Director (Fisheries) Chinnakuppan said that the Karaikal fishermen should cooperate and ensure that peace prevailed in the territory.

The fishermen association leaders led by Jesu Raja, Emerit, Sagayam and fishermen from Nambuthalai and Karaikal attended. The Revenue Divisional Officer Mohamed Habib Rahman presided. Karaikal Fisheries Deputy Director Natarajan, Rameswaram AD (Fisheries) Tamilmaran participated.

The Karaikal fishermen representatives sought time and assured to get back soon after holding a consultation with their members.

The officials said that though the fishermen spoke about their issues, the talks were inconclusive, but ended on a peaceful note, they added.