The Sri Lankan navy arrested 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu on Monday evening for allegedly crossing the maritime border. According to the fishermen’s association of Tharuvaikulam, the fishermen were detained while fishing in the deep waters between India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, two mechanized boats, owned by R. Antony Maharaja and J. Antony Then Danila, were seized.
On July 21, a group of 12 fishermen embarked on a multi-day deep-sea fishing expedition, followed by another group of 10 fishermen on July 23.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai acknowledged the situation and took representatives of the fishermen community to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Delhi to address the ongoing issues faced by Indian fishermen from the Sri Lankan navy.
Following the meeting, S. Jaishankar assured that necessary measures would be taken to resolve the matter. “We will look at this to find some amicable solution. This should not be a political problem. It’s a matter of their livelihood. Our government and High Commission have always worked for their welfare. Recently, 20 fishermen were released,” he stated.
S. Jaishankar also assured a meeting with the fishermen’s association and the formation of a joint working group soon.
Last weekend, 21 fishermen who had been arrested by the Sri Lankan navy were repatriated to India, with the Indian High Commission in Colombo securing their release in cooperation with the Indian Consulate in Jaffna and Sri Lankan authorities.
In a related incident last week, an Indian fisherman was killed and another went missing following a collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters. This incident prompted the External Affairs Ministry to summon the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner and lodge a strong protest.
Last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to S. Jaishankar, urging efforts to secure the swift release of 87 fishermen from the state who are currently detained in Sri Lanka.
