- विज्ञापन -
Chennai: Twenty Indian fishermen released from Sri Lankan prisons have arrived in Chennai by flight, local officials reported. The fishermen, who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy a year ago, hail from the Tamil Nadu districts of Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin and had been in judicial custody in Sri Lanka.
Following negotiations between the Indian and Sri Lankan governments, these fishermen were freed and transferred to Indian embassy officials, who provided them with temporary citizenship certificates. They were then flown from Colombo to Chennai airport.
Upon their arrival, the fishermen completed citizenship verification and customs checks before being released. Fisheries department officials were on hand to assist, arranging transportation for them back to their hometowns in separate vehicles.
This incident occurs amid ongoing protests from fishermen associations throughout Tamil Nadu, stemming from frequent arrests of local fishermen. These associations have urged the Prime Minister to intervene and put an end to the mid-sea arrests and the confiscation of mechanised boats, which are vital for their livelihoods.
Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently addressed this issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake, emphasizing the increasing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. PMK President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for decisive action from the Central Government to halt further detentions.
Currently, 504 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody, along with approximately 48 confiscated mechanised fishing boats. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, highlighted the mounting difficulties faced by fishermen and their families, stating, “The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands are struggling due to the fear of venturing out to sea.”
Thajudhin also expressed grave concerns regarding the Sri Lankan government’s plan to nationalise the seized boats, warning that such measures would have devastating consequences for the industry—many fishermen have taken out loans to buy these boats, relying on their earnings to repay them.
In response, fishermen’s associations across Tamil Nadu are organizing widespread protests throughout coastal regions.
