Sri Lankan Navy Detains 8 Fishermen from Tamil Nadu, Confiscates Two Boats
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Chennai, Dec 8 (NationPress) The Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram for purportedly transgressing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in fishing near Neduntheevu.
As per sources from the Tamil Nadu coastal police, these arrests occurred in the early morning on Sunday. Additionally, the Navy confiscated two expensive mechanized fishing vessels.
The detained fishermen were transported to the Kankesanturai Port Camp for questioning. Following this, it is expected that they will be transferred to officials from the Jaffna Fisheries Department.
This incident comes on the heels of another where 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested on December 4, alongside the seizure of two fishing vessels close to Katchatheevu.
Witnesses among the fishermen have reported that the Sri Lankan Navy aggressively assaulted them, resulting in damage to their fishing nets and GPS devices. Some even accused the Navy of intentionally colliding with their boats, leading to significant harm.
Earlier, on December 3, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Neduntheevu for allegedly breaching the IMBL. These fishermen and their two boats were subsequently taken to the Kangesan Naval Base for further investigation.
The continuous arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen have triggered considerable anxiety within the fishing community.
According to the Tamil Nadu Coastal Police, the officials from Sri Lanka accuse these fishermen of invading Sri Lankan waters and participating in illicit fishing.
Since June 16, 2024, it has been reported that the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats.
A number of these fishermen are still held in Sri Lankan jails, resulting in widespread protests and calls for government intervention.
During a recent trip to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister addressed the issue of these arrests with the Sri Lankan government, advocating for steps to avert additional detentions and confiscations of boats.
Nonetheless, despite these discussions, the arrests persist, amplifying fears among the fishing community.
A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, highlighted the increasing challenges faced by fishermen and their families. “The livelihoods of our fishermen are under siege. Thousands of families dependent on fishing and related industries are experiencing immense hardship. A pervasive fear has taken hold among fishermen and their families regarding going out to sea,” he stated.
Thajudhin also expressed concern over the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalize seized mechanized fishing boats.
“This move will devastate the industry, as numerous fishermen have borrowed money to buy these costly boats, expecting to repay through their earnings,” he elaborated.
Fishermen’s associations throughout Tamil Nadu are mobilizing large-scale protests in the coastal regions.
They have sent letters to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and halt the mid-sea arrests and confiscation of mechanized boats that are essential to the fishermen’s livelihoods.
