Sri Lankan Navy Detains 16 Fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Confiscates Two Fishing Vessels
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Chennai, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Sri Lankan Navy detained 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen on Tuesday near Nedantheevu, alleging that they had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entered its territorial waters.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan Navy confiscated two mechanised fishing vessels belonging to the fishermen.
The detained fishermen were taken to the Kangesan Port Navy Camp for further questioning.
On Monday, reports indicated that the Sri Lankan Navy had chased away over 1,500 fishermen from Rameswaram, who had set out to sea in more than 300 boats after a five-day respite.
According to sources, personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy, using six patrol boats, intercepted the fishermen mid-sea, allegedly destroying more than 10 fishing nets and compelling them to return to shore.
Since June 16, it has been reported that the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and confiscated 58 boats.
Many of these fishermen remain incarcerated in Sri Lankan jails, leading to widespread protests and calls for governmental action.
During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised concerns with the government, urging them to halt further arrests and boat confiscations.
Despite these discussions, arrests have persisted, increasing apprehension within the fishing community. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, emphasized the growing struggles faced by fishermen and their families.
"The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands of families who depend on fishing and related activities are experiencing significant hardship. A sense of fear has already enveloped fishermen and their families regarding venturing out to sea," he stated.
Thajudhin also expressed concerns regarding the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalize confiscated mechanised fishing vessels. "This move will devastate fishermen who have taken loans to acquire these costly boats, with the expectation of repaying them through their earnings," he elaborated.
Fishermen's associations throughout Tamil Nadu are organizing large-scale protests in coastal regions.
They have submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and put an end to the mid-sea arrests and seizures of mechanised vessels, which are essential for the fishermen's livelihoods.
EAM Jaishankar recently discussed this matter with visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emphasizing the frequent detentions of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for decisive action from the Indian government to prevent further detentions of Indian fishermen.
