Tamil Nadu fishermen protest on railway tracks over arrests by Sri Lankan Navy

Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram witnessed a protest on Tuesday as frustrated fishermen and their families sat on train tracks to demand the release of those arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Thangachimadam town, holding a rally before walking towards the railway track and staging a sit-in against the repeated arrests of local fishermen. Many boats have been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu, Neduntheevu and surrounding waters, prompting the community to take to the tracks to voice their grievances.

Fishermen and their families claimed that those detained are subjected to harsh conditions in Sri Lankan prisons and are forced to pay substantial fines for their release. The apprehended boats often suffer extensive damage while in custody, they said.

The protest caused disruption to rail services, delaying a train from Rameswaram to Tambaram by approximately twenty minutes. Demonstrators maintained that such actions are necessary to draw attention to the ongoing challenges faced by the fishing community.

Earlier this month, seven fishermen were arrested and their boat seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the maritime border. Reports said around 2,000 fishermen had set out in 350 boats from a fishing port.

The seven fishermen: Dallas, Slidon, Arul Robert, Loylen, Arokiya Sandrin, Bhaskar, and Jesu Raja were anchored near the Mannar Gulf, Sri Lankan naval personnel surrounded them, arrested the fishermen, and seized their boat. Following an inquiry, the detained fishermen were handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Department authorities.

In response, members of the fishing community staged a protest, blocking the Madurai–Dhanushkodi highway and demanding immediate action. The demonstration caused significant traffic congestion in the area.

- Ends