Tamil Nadu Fishermen Detained by Sri Lankan Navy: What’s Behind the Ongoing Tensions?

Fishermen Arrested for Crossing Maritime Boundaries

Chennai: In the early hours of Sunday, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entering Sri Lankan waters.

The group had departed from Rameswaram on Saturday night and was taken into custody along with their fishing vessel, which was also confiscated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Fisheries department officials reported that the fishermen were near Delft Island when they were intercepted by a naval patrol.

The Sri Lankan authorities have accused the fishermen of illegal fishing in their territorial waters, citing ongoing violations despite previous diplomatic efforts.

This incident adds to a series of arrests involving Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy over claims of maritime boundary infringements. In recent years, numerous fishermen from coastal regions such as Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai have been detained in Sri Lanka, creating tension between the fishing communities and authorities on both sides of the Palk Strait.

Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have long claimed they face harassment from Sri Lankan naval forces, often being compelled to cross the boundary due to dwindling fish stocks and the narrow sea separating the two countries.

They argue that traditional fishing areas, utilized by Tamil fishermen for generations, now fall under Sri Lanka’s jurisdiction due to maritime boundary agreements established decades ago.

The Tamil Nadu government has persistently raised this issue with the Central government, urging New Delhi to facilitate the release of the detained fishermen and their boats while seeking a lasting diplomatic resolution. Indian officials have consistently addressed this matter with their Sri Lankan counterparts through formal channels.

In the meantime, fishermen’s associations in Rameswaram have called for immediate action from the Indian government, demanding the safe return of the detained fishermen and their vessel. They have also threatened protests if prompt measures are not taken to resolve the ongoing arrests.

The detained fishermen are expected to be presented before a magistrate in Sri Lanka, where they may be placed in judicial custody pending further investigation.