35 Tamil Nadu, Puducherry fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for crossing border

Thirty-five Indian fishermen, including 31 from Tamil Nadu and 4 from Puducherry, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) near Rameswaram.

According to reports, the fishermen were taken to the Kangesanthurai Navy Camp for interrogation and later handed over to officials of the Jaffna Fisheries Department. After the inquiry, they were produced before court and are likely to be sent to prison.

Reacting to the arrests, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to exert more pressure on the Union Government for their release. He criticised the state’s response to such incidents, saying merely writing letters to the Centre was not enough.

“In a situation where attacks and arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have become routine, the Central and State governments have not taken steps to find a permanent solution,” he said.

Ramadoss added that the Chief Minister should convene a meeting with ministers and fishermen’s representatives and directly meet the Prime Minister to push for a lasting resolution to the issue.

The latest arrest comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the fishermen issue with his Sri Lankan counterpart Harini Amarasuriya in October, a day after Chief Minister Stalin urged him to take up the matter.

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