The mechanised boat fishermen of Chinna Muttom fishing harbour commenced indefinite strike on Wednesday urging the officials to allow them practice stay fishing’. After 62 of the 236 mechanised boats operating from the Chinna Muttom fishing harbour recently failed to return to the base before 9 p.m. as mandated and practised stay fishing’, the Department of Fisheries slapped a fine of Rs. 5,000 each on the owners of the erring boats. Moreover, the officials introduced token system’, in which the boats that receive the token at 5 a.m. from the fisheries department officials before venturing into the sea should return it before 9 p.m. on reaching the base. Condemning the fine and the token system’, the mechanised fishermen struck work. Though they resumed fishing operations a few days ago, the fishermen declared indefinite strike on Wednesday. We’ll not resume work until we’re allowed to practice stay fishing’. We’ll submit a petition to the Collector soon in this connection, they said.