September 15, Colombo (LNW): Nineteen Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka have returned safely to Chennai, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka.
Their release comes amidst rising tensions in Tamil Nadu, where fishermen and villagers in Tharuvaikulam, Thoothukudi district, staged a one-day hunger strike earlier in the week, demanding the release of 22 fishermen who had been “arrested” by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The Indian Embassy confirmed the repatriation via a post on social media platform ‘X’, stating, “Returning home to India! 19 Indian fishermen have been safely repatriated from Sri Lanka and are on their way back to Chennai.”
Protesters, including Murugan, a member of the local fishing community, have called on both the central and state governments to intervene further.
They are seeking not only the cancellation of fines imposed by the Sri Lankan court on the detained fishermen but also the recovery of two powerboats seized during the incident.
“The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 22 fishermen who had gone fishing in two boats last month from Tharuvaikulam, Tuticorin district, claiming that they had entered Sri Lankan territory,” explained Murugan.
The fishermen were then transferred to the Kalpiti Fisheries Department and later appeared before the Puttalam District Kalpitiya Tourism Court, which remanded them to Wariyapola Jail while their trial is ongoing.
The situation has escalated as the Sri Lankan court has demanded a hefty fine of Rs 42 lakh (approximately Rs 1.5 crore in Sri Lankan currency) from 12 of the fishermen on one of the boats.
Failure to pay this fine could result in a six-month prison sentence, a penalty that has prompted further outrage and calls for relief from the fishing community and political leaders in Tamil Nadu.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier in September, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reported that 14 fishermen from the Pudukkottai District, along with their three mechanised fishing boats, were also detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.
These recurring arrests have strained the already delicate maritime relations between India and Sri Lanka, leading to increased pressure on authorities to address the disputes over territorial waters and ensure the safety and livelihood of the fishermen involved.
The return of the 19 fishermen to Chennai has provided some relief, but the demand for the release of the remaining 22 fishermen and the cancellation of the fines remains a pressing issue.
As both governments continue to navigate this complex situation, the fishing communities on both sides of the Palk Strait are looking for a long-term resolution to prevent future conflicts.
