Sri Lankan Navy Detains Ten Tamil Nadu Fishermen and Confiscates Their Boat
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Chennai, Jan 9 (NationPress) Ten Indian fishermen hailing from Karaikkal in Tamil Nadu were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy during the early hours of Thursday. Their mechanised boat used for fishing was also confiscated.
The detained fishermen have been transported to the Kankesanthurai camp of the Sri Lankan Navy for additional questioning and investigation.
Since June 16, 2024, reports indicate that the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested a total of 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 expensive mechanised boats. Many of these individuals are still imprisoned in Sri Lankan facilities, leading to widespread protests and demands for government action.
During a recent diplomatic visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister raised concerns with the Sri Lankan authorities, urging them to halt further arrests and boat seizures. Nevertheless, these detentions have persisted, resulting in growing anxiety within the fishing community.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin sent a letter to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, calling for prompt diplomatic efforts to secure the release of all Indian fishermen held by the Sri Lankan Navy, along with their mechanised vessels.
In his correspondence dated December 24, CM Stalin requested intervention for the release of 17 fishermen recently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. He also highlighted that two mechanised boats, identified by registration numbers IND-TN10-MM-206 and IND-TN10-MM-543, are currently in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy.
CM Stalin stressed that the ongoing arrests and assaults render the lives of Tamil Nadu fishermen, who rely exclusively on fishing in their traditional waters, extremely precarious and hazardous.
He expressed that the recent detentions and attacks have fostered a state of fear within the fishing community.
The Chief Minister urged the Union External Affairs Minister to undertake coordinated diplomatic actions to ensure the immediate release of all apprehended fishermen and their boats.
CM Stalin also called for diplomatic strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. Additionally, he pointed out two separate attacks on fishermen from Kodiyakkarai village in Nagapattinam. On December 20, six unidentified Sri Lankan nationals allegedly assaulted three out of six fishermen who had gone out in two country crafts. The assailants reportedly stole the fishermen’s belongings, including GPS equipment, VHF equipment, fishing nets, mobile phones, and their catch. The CM described the incident as “outrageous” and called for immediate action to safeguard the rights and safety of Indian fishermen.
