Nagapattinam:
Shops in Nagapattinam and Nagore remained closed today in response to dawn-to-dusk hartal call given by the Chamber of Commerce and Traders Association in solidarity with protesting fishermen demanding release of 210 of their counterparts arrested by Sri Lankan Navy over the past few months.
Over 3000 fisher-folk are on indefinite fast since December 21.
Last night, some 20 women fainted at the strike venue and they were rushed to the Nagapattinam General Hospital.
Fisheries Minister KA Jayapal and District Collector T Munusamy visited them at the hospital.
Meanwhile, a delegation of fishermen have left for Chennai to meet the Chief Minister Jayalalitha and represent their grievances.