September 08, Colombo (LNW): Families of fishermen in Jegathapattinam, Tamil Nadu, staged protests on Sunday following the arrest of 14 local fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, which also seized three mechanised boats.
The arrests took place on Saturday (07) night, sparking outrage within the fishing community, particularly in the Pudukottai district.
K.R. Manikantan, a local fishing leader, voiced the frustrations of the community, stating that the frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy have left the fishermen in constant fear of venturing out to sea.
“Our livelihoods are at stake. The state and Central governments are ignoring the severe challenges we face,” he said.
He highlighted that whilst fishermen might be released after brief custody, the Sri Lankan authorities often hold on to their boats indefinitely, further exacerbating the crisis.
“Even after release, getting back our boats remains an impossible task, making it difficult for us to resume fishing,” Manikantan added.
The incident took place near the disputed waters of Neduntheevu in the Palk Strait, where the fishermen were accused of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The arrested fishermen, including Pradeep, Ranjith, Prabakaran, and Ajith, were aboard three boats owned by local residents. They, along with 49 other fishermen, had ventured into the sea early on Saturday.
In response, the Tamil Nadu coastal police confirmed that the detained fishermen were transferred to the Kankesanthurai naval base in Sri Lanka.
The ongoing arrests have fuelled mounting tensions, with protests spreading to other coastal districts like Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, and Pudukottai.
The fishing community is also threatening to block major roads in protest, calling on both the state and national governments to intervene and secure the release of the arrested fishermen.
This incident has further intensified the long-standing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, an issue that has repeatedly strained relations between the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Currently, around 84 Tamil Nadu fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody, underscoring the dire need for a resolution to the conflict, which continues to affect the livelihoods of thousands along the Tamil Nadu coast.
