Sri Lankan Navy Detains Eight Fishermen from Tamil Nadu, Confiscates Boats

Chennai, Jan 12 (NationPress) Eight fishermen hailing from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy during the early hours of Sunday.

In addition, two mechanised boats were confiscated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

The Sri Lankan Navy stated that these arrests occurred due to allegations of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in poaching activities near the Neduntheevu islet.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department mentioned that they had issued tokens to 169 mechanised boats on Saturday morning at the Rameswaram jetty, with plans for these vessels to return by Sunday evening.

According to sources within the Fisheries Department, the detained fishermen have been transported to a Sri Lankan naval port for questioning, while the confiscated boats are also being towed to the same location.

The owners of the seized vessels have been identified as Mukesh Kumar from Rameswaram and Maria Retrisan from Thangachimadam, with registration numbers IND TN 10 MM 879 and IND TN 10 MM 159, respectively.

Leaders of fishermen’s associations across coastal Tamil Nadu have condemned these midnight arrests. Antony John, a fishermen's representative from Rameswaram, criticized the Union government for failing to address the ongoing arrests.

“It is no longer safe for us to fish in the Palk Bay. We have not only lost our livelihoods but also our possessions to the Sri Lankan authorities,” John stated.

He further remarked that approximately 270 trawlers have been confiscated since 2018, pushing many fishermen into unemployment and financial hardship due to increasing debts.

Rajagopal C.M., another representative from Thangachimadam, shared similar concerns and accused both the Union and State governments of neglecting the issues faced by the fishing community.

Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly apprehended 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats. Many of these individuals remain incarcerated in Sri Lankan facilities, igniting widespread protests and demands for government action.

During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister raised this issue with the Sri Lankan government, urging them to halt further arrests and boat seizures. However, in spite of these discussions, the arrests have persisted, heightening fears within the fishing community.

A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Meenavar Peravai, emphasized the struggles faced by fishermen and their families. “The livelihoods of our fishermen are under threat. Thousands of families relying on fishing and related activities are currently suffering. A pervasive fear has taken hold of fishermen and their families regarding going out to sea,” he noted.

Thajudhin also voiced concerns over the Sri Lankan government’s decision to nationalize the seized mechanized fishing boats. “This action will devastate the industry. Many fishermen have incurred debts to acquire these costly boats, with the expectation of repaying them through their earnings,” he elaborated.

Fishermen’s associations across Tamil Nadu have organized large-scale protests in coastal districts. They have also reached out to the Prime Minister, demanding immediate intervention to put an end to mid-sea arrests and the confiscation of mechanized boats, which are vital for their livelihoods.

The Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently discussed this situation with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake during the latter's visit to India. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for decisive action from the Indian government to prevent further arrests of Indian fishermen.