Sri Lanka Navy arrests 34 Tamil Nadu fishermen, 3 boats seized
The arrests were made in the early hours of Sunday when those ill-fated fishermen were fishing between Mannar and Dhanushkodi, sources said.
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MADURAI: As many as 34 Tamil Nadu fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on grounds of trespassing into the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. Three trawlers were also detained.
The arrests were made in the early hours of Sunday when those ill-fated fishermen were fishing between Mannar and Dhanushkodi, sources said.
They set out to sea off Rameswaram on Saturday after obtaining permit tokens from the Fisheries Department. In total, 439 mechanised boats including these three detained trawlers ventured into the sea. The detained mechanised fishing boats bore registration-‘IND-TN-10-MM-772’, ‘IND-TN-10-MM-702’ and ‘IND-TN-10-MM-291’. Those arrested belong to Rameswaram, Thangachimadam, Pamban, Thoothukudi, Erode and Trivandrum, sources said.
Condemning the arrest and seizure of three trawlers, VP Sesuraja, president of the Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association said it was unfortunate that the arrests were made on Republic Day.
“After the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India last month, we thought something would happen to prevent the SL Navy from arresting TN fishermen. But, arrests are continuing almost every other week and there is no remedy,” he said seeking intervention from the union government to protect TN fishermen.
Antony John, a fishermen's association leader from Rameswaram, criticised the Union government for failing to address the issue.
“It is no longer safe for us to fish in the Palk Bay. We have not only lost our livelihoods but also our properties to the Sri Lankan authorities,” he said.
Rajagopal CM, another leader from Thangachimadam, echoed similar sentiments, accusing both the Union and state governments of neglecting the plight of fisherfolk.
