Fishermen surrender ration cards to protest Centre's 'attitude'

Rameswaram: A section of local fishermen today surrendered their ration cards and voters identity cards to protest the Centre's 'unsympathetic attitude' to the plight of five Tamil Nadu fishermen detained in Sri Lanka for more than eight months on alleged drug smuggling charges, a Fishermen Association functionary said.

The fishermen were part of a group who are on a five-day fast here since August 8 demanding immediate steps by Central and Tamil Nadu governments for the release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy in November last year.

P. Seshuraja, District Secretary, Tamil Nadu Coastal Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association, said about 500 fishermen families surrendered their ration cards and voters identity cards, as the Central government had "not taken" any concrete steps for their release.