Seven fishermen from Tamil Nadu were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of trespassing while fishing near the Neduntheevu Naval Camp, Sri Lanka. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 10, as reported by local authorities.
The arrested fishermen, identified as Kaliappan, Akhilan, Kodi Mari, Sheikh Abdullah, Thangaraj, Jayaraman, and Saravanan, hail from Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Pudukottai Districts. They had set sail from the Jegathapattinam barge port on March 9.
This arrest comes amidst growing concerns over repeated attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities. In February, six fishermen who were previously apprehended were released by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Expressing distress over the situation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention to resolve the issue. Chief Minister Stalin highlighted the detrimental impact of these incidents on the livelihood of the fishing community, which has relied on these waters for generations.
In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Stalin emphasized, “I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the alarming increase in incidents of apprehension of Tamil fishermen and their boats by the Sri Lankan authorities.”
Furthermore, Stalin provided alarming statistics, stating, “During 2023, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 243 fishermen and seized 37 boats. However, in the past 28 days alone, 88 fishermen and 12 boats were apprehended in six incidents.”
The repeated arrests and seizures have sparked tensions between the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, with calls for swift diplomatic action to address the issue and ensure the safety and livelihoods of the affected fishermen.
