Karaikal fishermen stage rail roko against Sri Lankan Navy’s alleged attack

Over 500 fishermen staged a rail roko protest in Karaikal on Monday, condemning the alleged attack by the Sri Lankan Navy on fishermen from the region and demanding urgent medical treatment for the injured and their safe return

Over 500 fishermen staged a rail roko protest in Karaikal on Monday, condemning the alleged attack by the Sri Lankan Navy on fishermen from the region and demanding urgent medical treatment for the injured and their safe return.

On January 27, 13 Karaikal fishermen, who ventured into the sea, were reportedly assaulted and arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Three of them are said to be undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sri Lanka, according to local fishermen.

Fishermen in Karaikal have been on an indefinite strike for the past seven days, demanding the release of the detained fishermen, proper medical care for the injured, and the return of their seized boats. With no response from the Union and Puducherry governments, they intensified their protest on Monday by blocking the Karaikal–Velankanni train, scheduled to depart at 9.40 a.m.

Railway and local police held talks with the protesters, who raised slogans condemning the Sri Lankan Navy’s actions and the authorities’ inaction. A brief scuffle ensued before the police forcibly removed them from the tracks. Some protesters lay down on the railway tracks, delaying train services.