The Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended nine fishermen from Tamil Nadu, escalating tensions in the Palk Strait region. The incident occurred on Friday night when the fishermen were allegedly intercepted for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Details of the Detention and Fishermen's Background
The nine detained men hailed from various coastal villages in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts. One group consisted of three fishermen from Perumalpettai and one each from Pazhaiyar and Pudupettai. The second group included three from Vanagiri in Mayiladuthurai and one from Akkaraipatti in Nagapattinam district.
These fishermen had been operating from Kodiyakarai, also known as Point Calimere, for the past two months. Their routine fishing trip on Friday turned into an ordeal when a Sri Lankan naval vessel intercepted their Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boat. The naval personnel not only took the fishermen into custody but also seized their boat, fishing equipment, and the day's catch.
Legal Proceedings and Official Response
The apprehended fishermen were transported to Kankesanthurai harbour in Jaffna. On Saturday, they were formally handed over to Sri Lankan authorities. The Kayts Magistrate Court subsequently ordered them to be held in judicial custody at Jaffna prison until January 8.
Reacting swiftly to the news, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote a urgent letter to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He demanded immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release of the fishermen and their boat. In his communication, Stalin highlighted a alarming backlog, noting that 73 Indian fishermen and 251 boats are already in Sri Lankan custody. He emphasized that such repeated detentions cause severe distress and economic hardship for the fishing communities along the coast.
Community Anxiety and Ongoing Efforts
Following the detention, representatives of the fisherfolk community met with state fisheries department officials. They pleaded for intervention from both the Tamil Nadu and Union governments. Officials confirmed that the matter has been taken up with the concerned authorities through appropriate channels.
This incident underscores the persistent and volatile nature of the fishing rights dispute in the Palk Strait. Chief Minister Stalin argued that the continuous arrests create an atmosphere of anxiety and insecurity, jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands. He urged the central government to initiate decisive talks with Sri Lanka to find a permanent solution and prevent further such incidents, while also working to bring back all currently detained fishermen and their vessels.
