20 Indian Fishermen Freed by Sri Lanka Arrive in Chennai

Chennai, Jan 1 (NationPress) The 20 Indian fishermen, who were set free from prisons in Sri Lanka, arrived in Chennai via flight, according to officials on Wednesday.

The fishermen had been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for nearly a year. They hail from the Tamil Nadu districts of Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin, and were held in Sri Lankan judicial custody.

Following discussions between the governments of India and Sri Lanka, the fishermen were ultimately released.

They were handed over to representatives from the Indian embassy, who provided them with temporary citizenship certificates. Subsequently, the fishermen were flown from Colombo to Chennai Airport.

Upon landing at Chennai Airport, the fishermen went through citizenship verification, customs checks, and other required formalities before their release.

They were welcomed by officials from the fisheries department, who arranged transport for them back to their hometowns in separate vehicles.

It is noteworthy that fishermen’s associations throughout Tamil Nadu have been staging significant protests in coastal regions due to the frequent arrests of local fishermen.

These associations have reached out to the Prime Minister, requesting intervention to put an end to mid-sea arrests and the confiscation of mechanized boats, which are essential for their livelihoods.

Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently brought this matter up with the visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake, emphasizing the recurring detentions of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The PMK President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for urgent action from the Centre to put a stop to further arrests of Indian fishermen.

Currently, there are approximately 504 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities, along with about 48 mechanized fishing boats.

A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, highlighted the increasing difficulties faced by fishermen and their families. “The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands of families relying on fishing and related activities are enduring severe hardship. A sense of fear has already taken hold of fishermen and their families about going out to sea,” he stated.

Thajudhin also expressed worries about the Sri Lankan government's intent to nationalize confiscated mechanized fishing boats. “This move will devastate the industry, as many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these costly boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings,” he clarified.

Fishermen’s associations throughout Tamil Nadu are organizing extensive protests in coastal districts.