Chennai, Dec 30 (NationPress) The fishing community in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, is experiencing heightened anxiety following the arrest of three Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Tuesday. Their fishing trawler was also confiscated on accusations of poaching within Sri Lankan waters.

This incident has once again highlighted the persistent and unresolved challenges faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen who often find themselves detained while fishing in the Palk Strait.

Officials from the Fisheries Department in Rameswaram have identified the arrested fishermen as Rooban, Nagarajan, and Prabhu.

These fishermen had set sail from the Rameswaram fishing harbour late Monday night after receiving the necessary clearance from local authorities.

While fishing near the vicinity of Neduntheevu (Delft Island), they were stopped by a patrol team from the Sri Lankan Navy and taken into custody. Their mechanized trawler was subsequently seized and transported to the Karainagar Naval Base in northern Sri Lanka.

Authorities reported that a total of 415 fishing tokens were issued on Monday, allowing local fishermen to head out to sea.

Most boats were anticipated to return by Tuesday evening, but the news of the arrests swiftly spread, instilling fear and uncertainty among the families of the fishermen awaiting their return.

V.P. Jesu Raja, a leader of the fishermen’s association in Rameswaram, condemned the recent arrests, stating that the ongoing detentions have plunged the community into a state of profound distress.

“Despite our persistent appeals, our concerns regarding livelihood are continuously overlooked. The governments of India and Sri Lanka must pursue meaningful dialogue at the highest levels to arrive at a lasting solution,” he remarked.

Representatives from the fishing community noted that this marks the third such incident in under two weeks. In just the past 15 days, at least 13 fishermen from the region have been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, with three trawlers being confiscated.

Many previously detained fishermen were released only after paying substantial fines levied by Sri Lankan courts, leading their families into financial distress.

“With our boats taken and legal costs accumulating, survival has become increasingly challenging. We live in constant fear and uncertainty every time we venture out to sea,” Jesu Raja added, urging the Union government to intervene swiftly and ensure the release of the detained fishermen and their vessels.