- विज्ञापन -
Sri Lankan authorities have apprehended 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, alleging that they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing near Neduntheevu. According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, the fishermen were taken into custody early Sunday morning and transported to a Sri Lankan naval base for interrogation. Their mechanized boat and fishing gear were also confiscated.
Since June 16, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained a total of 425 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized 58 boats. Currently, around 110 fishermen are still in Sri Lankan custody. Recently, on October 23, 16 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested, leading to significant protests in Tamil Nadu.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has reached out to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, advocating for intervention to facilitate the release of the detained fishermen and their equipment. K.M. Palaniappan, a leader among the fishermen in Tamil Nadu, voiced his concerns to IANS, stating that the imprisonment of the 12 fishermen is extremely troubling. He emphasized the need for prompt action from the Union government, as the continuous arrests have instilled fear among fishermen, exacerbating their poverty and struggles.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including DMK, AIADMK, and PMK, have expressed their apprehensions regarding the challenges faced by local fishermen due to the Sri Lankan Navy’s actions. An incident on August 1, 2023, highlights the tensions in the region when a Sri Lankan naval vessel allegedly collided with a fishing boat, causing it to capsize. This incident resulted in the drowning of one fisherman, Malaisamy (59), while another, Ramachandran (64), went missing. Two other fishermen, Mookiah (51) and Muthu Muniandi (52), were arrested at the time but were subsequently returned to Indian authorities.
