More than 400 Rameswaram fishermen protesting over non-issuance of fishing tokens to 175 boats on Monday boycotted from venturing into the sea.
Following the two-day protest observed to condemn the arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan navy, the fishermen entered into the sea on Monday for fishing. In this situation, 175 boats were rejected tokens by the officials as those fishermen did not procure token on December 4 before entering the sea.
Condemning this, barring 150 boats, more than 450 mechanised boats remained anchored. P. Jesuraja, President of All Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association, said that they demanded the officials to provide the tokens to the remaining fishermen, but as they denied, they all stayed away from entering the sea.
“Only when all of them provided the tokens, we will enter the sea,” he added. Fisheries Department officials said that denial of tokens was a regular procedure for those entering the sea without the permission of the officials.
“As per Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, a chargesheet will be filed against the fishermen. Only after the process over, will they be provided tokens,” the officials added.