Sri Lankan Navy Detains Eight 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 allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in proximity to Neduntheevu.
Sources from the Tamil Nadu coastal police report that the arrests occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday. The Navy also confiscated two expensive mechanized fishing boats.
The detained fishermen were transported to the Kankesanturai Port Camp for further investigation. It is expected that they will be subsequently handed over to officials from the Jaffna Fisheries Department.
This incident follows the apprehension of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen on December 4, along with the confiscation of two fishing vessels near Katchatheevu.
Witnessing fishermen alleged that the Sri Lankan Navy aggressively attacked them, damaging their fishing nets and GPS devices. Some claimed their boats were intentionally rammed by the Navy, resulting in substantial damage.
On December 3, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Neduntheevu for allegedly crossing the IMBL. These fishermen, along with their two boats, were taken to the Kangesan Naval Base for further investigation.
The ongoing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen have led to considerable distress within the fishing community.
As reported by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Police, Sri Lankan authorities accuse these fishermen of illegally entering Sri Lankan waters and engaging in fishing activities.
Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and confiscated 58 boats.
Many of these fishermen remain in Sri Lankan prisons, sparking widespread protests and calls for government action.
During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister addressed the issue of these arrests with the Sri Lankan government, advocating for measures to prevent further detentions and confiscation of boats.
However, despite these discussions, the arrests persist, heightening anxiety within the fishing community.
A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, highlighted the escalating 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 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 concerns regarding the decision of the Sri Lankan government to nationalize seized mechanized fishing boats.
“This action will devastate the industry, as many fishermen have incurred debts to acquire these costly boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings,” he explained.
Fishermen’s associations throughout Tamil Nadu are organizing large-scale protests in the coastal regions.
They have reached out to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and halt mid-sea arrests and the confiscation of mechanized boats, which are essential to the fishermen’s livelihoods.
