Tamil Nadu CM writes to Jaishankar to ensure release of 16 fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka
Sixteen fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Their boats were also seized. The fishermen were apprehended while anchored between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu islands.
Out of the 400 fishermen who left the Rameswaram fishing port, 16 were detained, and the seized boats belonged to two individuals, Mahendran and Ramasundaram.
These boats were taken to the Mayilatti Fishing Port, where they were handed over to the Jaffna Fisheries Department.
The incident follows a period of tension between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy, with allegations of aggressive behaviour from the Lankan side. Recently, the Rameswaram fishermen had observed a month-long strike protesting the escalating actions of the Sri Lankan Navy, which they claim have led to arrests, boat seizures, and even violent attacks.
In response to the arrests, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging immediate diplomatic intervention.
Stalin emphasised that incidents of fishermen being detained by the Sri Lankan Navy have been rising, causing immense distress to their families. He urged the central government to take swift diplomatic measures to prevent such arrests and secure the release of the 128 Indian fishermen and 199 boats currently held by Sri Lanka.