Fishermen’s protest suspended till March 20

The decision was taken after the deceased fisherman K Bridjo (21) was buried at Thangachimadam near Rameswaram. Bridjo was shot to death by Sri Lankan Navy on March 6 when he along with other fishermen from the village were fishing at the mid-sea off Rameswaram coast. Shocked over the incident, the fishermen community launched their protests on March 7. 

During the last six days of the protest, several politicians including DMK working president M K Stalin and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visited the protest spot and consoled the family of Bridjo. 

On Sunday, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Pon Radhakrishnan visited Thangachimadam, consoled the kin of Bridjo and held talks with fishermen leaders. Union Ministers agreed to fishermen’s demands and assured them of a meeting with External Affairs Department Secretary before March 20. After the talks, the fishermen leaders agreed to withdraw the protest on Monday with the funeral of Bridjo. On Monday, the kin of Bridjo received his body around 3 pm and carried it to the Infant Jesus Church to conduct the funeral rituals. Thousands of villagers were present at the church during the event. 

Later, his body was taken to Anthoniarpuram burial ground in Thangachimadam on a procession. If the talks with the Secretary of External Affairs Department fails, the protest will be resumed, fishermen said.