Tamil Nadu Congress MP Calls on EAM Jaishankar to Urge Sri Lankan President for Release of Detained Indian Fishermen

Chennai, Dec 14 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Congress MP R. Sudha engaged with Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, appealing him to urge the visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the prompt liberation of Indian fishermen unlawfully detained in Sri Lanka, along with their seized fishing boats.

The Sri Lankan President is set to arrive in New Delhi on December 17, 2024.

In her correspondence to the Union minister, Sudha emphasized Tamil Nadu’s extensive coastline of 1,076 kilometers, which represents 15 percent of India’s total coastal length.

She pointed out that 14 out of Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts are coastal, including her constituency, Mayiladuthurai.

The additional coastal districts comprise Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari.

She indicated that these 14 districts collectively accommodate over 2.1 crore people—exceeding 25 percent of Tamil Nadu’s total populace—with each district housing more than one lakh fishermen.

Tamil Nadu is positioned fifth in national fishing production. The Congress MP highlighted the precarious situation of Tamil fishermen, who frequently endure harassment, assaults, arrests, and even fatalities at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.

In her letter, Sudha stated: “These occurrences are well-documented and recognized even by Sri Lanka. The persistent arrests and mistreatment of Tamil fishermen are attributed to crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), supposedly in search of richer marine resources on the Sri Lankan side. Nevertheless, such assertions cannot warrant the unjust actions against our fishermen.”

She further mentioned that globally, fishermen traversing borders are treated with respect and understanding, but Indian fishermen, especially those from Tamil Nadu, are subjected to disdain and violence from Sri Lankan officials.

Referencing a specific incident, she remarked: “On September 21, 2024, 37 fishermen from my constituency, Mayiladuthurai, were unlawfully attacked and apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. These compassionate fishermen had attempted to aid a capsized Sri Lankan fishing vessel, even assisting in the recovery of the bodies of two deceased Sri Lankan fishermen. Despite their altruistic actions, they were detained.”

R. Sudha disclosed that nearly 150 Indian fishermen, mainly from Tamil Nadu, are currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka, although the precise number fluctuates due to ongoing arrests and sporadic releases.

Moreover, 198 fishing boats and trawlers owned by Indian fishermen have been confiscated and remain under Sri Lankan control.

She underscored the severe economic repercussions on fishing families and communities due to the retention of fishing vessels, stating: “For a fisherman’s family or a village, a fishing boat is like a milch cow, essential for their livelihood. Releasing fishermen while retaining their boats economically devastates them.”

R. Sudha implored EAM Jaishankar to secure the swift release of all 141 detained fishermen (comprising 45 under trial and 96 serving sentences), advocate for the return of the 198 confiscated fishing vessels, and emphasize to the Sri Lankan President the urgent need to cease arbitrary assaults, theft, and fatalities of Indian fishermen.

She also proposed establishing a lasting consultative framework to tackle these issues and discover a permanent resolution to this ongoing contention between India and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the Congress MP recommended revisiting the Katchatheevu Agreement to either reclaim the island or reinstate provisions permitting Indian fishermen to utilize the island for vital activities, including drying their nets, resting, and emergency needs.