Tamil Nadu raises concern after Sri Lanka Navy arrests nine Indian fishermen off Talaimannar
Nine Indian fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested and their trawler seized by the Sri Lanka Navy for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters and engaging in bottom trawling off Talaimannar.
The Navy said the trawler crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on Wednesday (August 12) and was intercepted during an operation off Urumalei Point in Talaimannar.
According to Sri Lankan authorities, the fishermen were using bottom trawling, a fishing method considered harmful to the marine environment.
The arrested fishermen and the trawler are due to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for further legal proceedings.
Indian news agency ANI reported that the nine fishermen were from Rameswaram and were part of a larger group that left Rameswaram Port on August 12 in 297 fishing boats after receiving formal fishing permits.
The seized vessel, registered as IND TN 10 MM 329, is owned by P. Wellington, a resident of Thangachimadam Raja Nagar, according to the report.
The arrested fishermen were identified as J. Janathan, 45; A. Anthony Pichai, 38; K. Vellaichamy, 51; M. Prabhu, 43; Arogya Jeniston, 25; P. Stevin, 30; M. Donbosco, 55; V. Arogya Devin, 31; and Subbaiah, 52.
ANI said the fishermen were taken to the Thalaimannar Naval Camp for further questioning following their arrest.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Srinath said on Thursday (August 13) that he plans to visit New Delhi next week to discuss the continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
Speaking to reporters at Thoothukudi Airport, Srinath said discussions on the fishermen’s issue are continuing and that he has already discussed the matter with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
He said the planned talks in New Delhi would focus on measures to prevent further arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and expressed hope that a positive outcome would be reached.
The Minister also said several welfare schemes for fishermen are being considered for inclusion in the Fisheries Department’s demand for grants following discussions with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister.
He added that a request by mechanized boat fishermen in Thoothukudi for permission to engage in deep-sea fishing has also been included in the Fisheries Department’s demand for grants, with an announcement expected during the relevant legislative session.