Fishermen of the Poompuhar area of Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam District have reportedly gone on an indefinite strike over a demand for the immediate release of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

With 53 fishermen getting apprehended by the Sri Lankan maritime authority yesterday a total of 78 Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently being detained in Sri Lanka.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also said that he will crack down on Indian fishermen violating Sri Lankan waters and exploiting his island-nation's marine resources and wealth.

The fishermen in Tamil Nadu are also demanding the release of their boats worth several crores of rupees as they claim that their livelihood has been severely compromised.

However, Sri Lankan courts have sent all 55 Indian fishermen arrested by the Navy yesterday to remand till September 25.

The fishermen were produced before a magistrate's court last evening and charged with violating the international boundary and poaching.

They were arrested in two separate incidents near Point Pedro and Thalaimannar yesterday morning.