Tamil Nadu Raises Compensation for Seized Mechanized Boats

Chennai, March 4 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu government has declared an enhancement in compensation for owners of mechanized boats confiscated by the Sri Lankan Navy. The compensation amount will increase from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh for each boat, as stated in an order from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Moreover, the daily financial support for the families of fishermen imprisoned in Sri Lankan jails has been raised from Rs 350 to Rs 500. This order was enacted on Monday.

In an attempt to devise a long-term resolution to the recurring detentions of Tamil fishermen, a group of leaders from fishermen’s associations in Tamil Nadu will meet with Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Delhi. The delegation will be headed by DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan confirmed that preparations for this meeting are underway, with the exact date to be announced shortly.

Fishermen and their families from Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions, especially in Rameswaram and Thangachimadam, are currently engaged in an indefinite strike to protest the continuous arrests and confiscation of their boats. Since February 24, 700 mechanized boat fishermen have paused their operations, keeping their vessels docked. The strike is resulting in an estimated daily revenue loss of Rs one crore, affecting over 10,000 workers in the fishing sector.

During a recent assembly at the Rameswaram fishing harbor, fishermen’s associations collectively resolved to cease all fishing activities until the detained fishermen are released. V.P. Sesuraja, president of the Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, noted that Tamil Nadu fishermen have faced arrests four times just this month. Since the start of 2025, a total of 119 fishermen and 16 boats have been seized. He also pointed out the financial burden on the families of detained fishermen, who frequently have to pay substantial fines enforced by Sri Lankan authorities for their release.

Worried about further arrests, many fishermen are now reluctant to head out to sea.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Stalin has urged the Union government to take prompt action to safeguard fishermen from frequent mid-sea attacks, arrests, and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter addressed to the Centre on Monday, CM Stalin emphasized that during the last decade under the BJP-led administration, 3,656 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested, 613 boats have been seized, and 736 attacks have been conducted against them.

He asserted that only the Central government can provide a sustainable resolution to this crisis.

CM Stalin also mentioned that diplomatic talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, which last took place in 2010, have not been resumed. Despite assurances from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding diplomatic negotiations, no significant progress has been achieved.

The Chief Minister called upon the Union government to guarantee that Tamil Nadu fishermen are recognized as Indian citizens first, protecting their fishing rights, advocating for the repeal of the 2018 Sri Lankan Fishermen Act (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats Act), and securing fishing rights in the Katchatheevu region for Tamil Nadu fishermen.

As the crisis escalates, fishermen are demanding urgent diplomatic intervention to avert further arrests and economic difficulties for coastal communities.