Fishermen decide to withdraw stir after India, Sri Lanka talks

RAMESWARAM ( TAMIL NADU): A meeting of all fishermen's associations today decided to withdraw their 36 day indefinite strike from Monday and put out to sea in the backdrop of the first joint committee meeting between India and Sri Lanka held in Delhi.

N D Bose and B Sesuraja, secretaries of Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Association, said the decision had been taken in the light of the yesterday's meeting between the two nations.

They urged the Indian government to take steps to get back the 63 boats seized by Sri Lankan naval personnel and demanded that Coast Guard provide them security to enable them fish in the Indian territory without any hassles.

Nambu Sekaran, the Association president said another reason for them to withdraw the strike was poverty and the coming festival season, which would ensure them good returns.