Chennai, Dec 28 (NationPress) Three fishermen from Mandapam in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on allegations of violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing near Katchatheevu in the early hours of Sunday, raising new alarms about the safety and livelihoods of Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait.

As per official reports, the fishermen were engaged in their routine fishing activities when personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted their mechanized boat, claiming it had entered Sri Lankan territorial waters.

Following the interception, the fishermen were taken into custody and their fishing vessel was seized, later being transported to the Kankesanthurai naval camp in northern Sri Lanka for further interrogation.

This recent incident has ignited concern among fishing communities in Ramanathapuram and nearby coastal regions, where families heavily rely on deep-sea fishing for their income.

Fishermen's associations reported that such arrests have become increasingly common in recent months, despite ongoing appeals for a sustainable diplomatic resolution.

It is worth noting that just recently, ten fishermen from Tamil Nadu were also detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, advocating for prompt diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained fishermen and their vessel.

In his correspondence, the Chief Minister voiced serious concern regarding the persistent arrests and the alleged mistreatment of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

CM Stalin emphasized that traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay region have been upheld for generations, and fishermen often stray unintentionally due to the lack of a clearly defined maritime boundary.

He urged the central government to engage with Sri Lanka at the highest diplomatic levels to formulate a permanent and humanitarian solution to prevent these recurring incidents.

Moreover, the Chief Minister highlighted that numerous Tamil Nadu fishermen still remain in Sri Lankan custody from prior occurrences and reiterated the state's demand for their immediate release along with their confiscated boats.

Fishermen's associations have raised similar apprehensions, indicating that repeated arrests, lengthy detentions, and substantial fines have plunged the coastal community into severe economic distress. They have called upon both state and central governments to ramp up diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety and sustenance of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay area.

The latest arrests have once again spotlighted the long-standing and sensitive issue of cross-border fishing between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting the pressing need for a durable bilateral resolution.