Fishermen continue stir; activist on indefinite fast demands

Hundreds of fishermen continued their protest here for the fourth day today against killing of a colleague allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy and were joined by noted social activist Swamy Pranavanandha, who began an indefinite fast demanding a probe into the man's death.
22-year-old Bridgo was shot dead on Monday allegedly by Lankan Navy personnel while he was fishing in a mechanised boat at a short distance off Katchatheevu islet.
Social activist and founder of 'Vivekananda Kudil' Pranavanandha joined the stir and began an indefinite fast, demanding that attacks against the fishermen be stopped and a probe be held into the death of Bridgo.

The social activist has been fighting and working for the cause of the fishermen for the past 34 years. He had also led several agitations for their cause.
Speaking to reporters, Pranavanandha recalled that it was fishermen from this coastal town who had helped Sri Lankan Tamils come to India as refugees during the period of internal strife in the island nation.
He claimed that during the tripartite talks in Colombo and Delhi, Sri Lanka had assured India that its navy would not shoot Indian fishermen if they crossed territorial waters and only arrest them.

"Now they have violated the assurance. A young fisherman had been murdered by them," he alleged.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take responsibility for the murder. This should be the last murder of an Indian fisherman in the Palk Straits. I will continue my fast till I get an assurance from Modi," he said.
Meanwhile, founder of fringe Tamil outfit Naam Tamizhar Katchi Seeman also expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Addressing them, he alleged that Tamils were being frequently targeted all over the world.
He also charged the Centre with not taking care of the interests of Tamils, including the fishermen.