Rameswaram: Ten fishermen from Rameswaram and nearby areas in Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu on Thursday for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, officials said.
According to the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, 297 mechanised trawlers had ventured into the sea from the Rameswaram fishing jetty on Wednesday morning after obtaining the required tokens.
Late Wednesday night, a mechanised fishing boat owned by Wellington, a resident of Rajan Nagar in Thangachimadam, was intercepted by a Sri Lankan Navy surveillance team near Katchatheevu.
10 Fishermen Taken to Talaimannar
Following a preliminary inquiry, Sri Lankan naval personnel detained the boat along with its 10-member crew and took them to the Talaimannar naval port for questioning.
The detained fishermen were identified as Janathan, 45, Antony Pitchai, 38, Prabhu, 43, Don Bosco, 55, Arockia Devin, 31, Veluchamy, 51, Subbiah, 52, Arockia Jeniston, 25, and Stevin, 30. The identity of the 10th fisherman was not immediately available.
The fishermen are residents of Rameswaram, Pamban, Virudhunagar and Thangachimadam. They were expected to be produced before a Sri Lankan court later on Thursday.
Latest Arrest Triggers Concern Among Fishermen
The latest arrests have triggered concern among fishing communities in Ramanathapuram district. The incident comes just five days after nine Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested after their trawler reportedly developed a technical problem near Neduntheevu.
In protest against that arrest, fishermen in Rameswaram had observed a one-day strike and stayed away from the sea.
Fishing community representatives said repeated arrests of fishermen and seizure of boats were severely affecting their livelihoods and placing financial and emotional pressure on their families.
Fishermen Seek Diplomatic Solution
Fishermen leader Jesu Raja accused the Centre and Tamil Nadu government of failing to find a permanent solution to the recurring maritime dispute between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.
He said the fishing community had repeatedly sought effective diplomatic intervention but continued to face arrests while fishing in the Palk Bay.
The fishermen’s representatives urged authorities to secure the immediate release of the detained fishermen and their trawler and hold talks with Sri Lanka to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Further details about the seized trawler and the court proceedings are awaited.