Sri Lankan Navy Detains 14 Fishermen from Tamil Nadu Near Katchatheevu
Click to start listening
Chennai, Dec 5 (NationPress) On Thursday, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 14 fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, during their fishing activities near Katchatheevu, and also confiscated their two vessels.
The fishermen were taken into custody in the early hours of the morning for allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing within Sri Lankan territorial waters.
Witnesses among the other fishermen reported that the Sri Lankan Navy launched a severe attack on them, damaging their fishing nets and GPS apparatus. They further claimed that their boats were intentionally rammed by the Navy, leading to additional damage.
It is important to note that just two days prior, on December 3, the Sri Lankan Navy had detained 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the IMBL while fishing near Neduntheevu. According to the coastal police in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Lankan authorities accused these fishermen of illegally entering their waters for fishing. The detained fishermen, who were on board two fishing boats, were subsequently taken to the Kangesan Naval Base for further inquiries.
The frequent detentions of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have led to considerable distress within the fishing community.
There are increasing calls from both the central and state governments to take decisive action to prevent such incidents.
Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly detained 425 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized 58 fishing vessels.
A significant number of these fishermen are still held in Sri Lankan prisons. During a recent diplomatic visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister raised concerns regarding these arrests with the Sri Lankan authorities, urging for measures to halt further detentions and seizures.
Despite these discussions, the arrests continue to occur, prompting fishermen's associations in Tamil Nadu to organize large-scale protests across coastal districts.
A. Thajudhin, the General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, informed IANS that fishermen’s organizations across the state are staging widespread protests in response to the ongoing detentions. He stated, “The livelihood of our fishermen is under severe threat. Thousands of families dependent on fishing and related activities are facing immense hardship. There is an overwhelming sense of fear among fishermen and their families regarding going out to sea.”
Thajudhin also pointed out that the Sri Lankan government is in the process of nationalizing mechanized fishing boats that have been seized from Tamil Nadu fishermen. “This move will be devastating for the industry, as many fishermen have taken loans to acquire these costly boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings,” he elaborated.
The fishermen’s association has formally appealed to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and stop mid-sea arrests and the confiscation of mechanized boats, which are vital to the fishermen’s livelihoods.
K.M. Periasamy, a leader among the fishermen from Ramanathapuram, emphasized the emotional and financial burden these incidents impose on fishermen and their families. “Families are suffering greatly due to recurring arrests and assaults at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy,” he remarked.
Periasamy shared plans to meet with the Prime Minister and the Union External Affairs Minister to discuss these pressing matters. He added, “The confiscation of mechanized boats is financially crippling families who have no means to repay the loans they took out to buy these boats. Tamil fishermen go into the high seas to fish, not to engage in illicit activities. We call upon the Indian government to address this issue at the highest level with the Sri Lankan authorities.”
