Accusing the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre and the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu of ignoring the interests of fishermen, AIADMK General J Jayalalithaa today announced an agitation here on December 31 to protect the interests of the fishing community.

In a statement, she said the party’s North Chennai Unit would organise an agitation in front of the Memorial Hall here to condemn the Union and State Governments for allegedly not taking steps to get back the Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka to prevent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy and urge the Centre to withdraw its decision to bring in a Legislation against the fishermen.

She said fishermen crossing international maritime boundaries was inevitable across the globe and the Lankan Navy’s act of opening fire on Tamil Nadu fishermen for crossing the line could never be accepted.

Though the Indian fishermen had the right to fish around Katchatheevu Island under the agreement, this was not liked by the Lankan Government.

The Indian Government also supported the act of the Lankan Government, she alleged.