In yet another distressing incident, 37 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing near Neduntheevu (Delft Island), sparking widespread concern among the fishing communities in the region. The arrested fishermen, hailing primarily from Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district, were reportedly fishing near the Sri Lankan maritime border when their vessel was intercepted by the Navy.Led by 60-year-old Chellathurai, son of Ayyaasamy, the fishermen had ventured into the sea on Monday night on a mechanized boat. The group comprised 21 men from Poompuhar, 3 from Chinnamettai, and 13 from Chandrapadi. Their arrest near the contentious maritime border has reignited the longstanding issue between India and Sri Lanka over fishing rights and boundary disputes.
Upon hearing about the arrest, news quickly spread to the fishermen’s village, leaving families in a state of deep distress. The anxious relatives of the detained fishermen are now awaiting their safe return. Many families gathered in Poompuhar, demanding immediate action from both state and central governments to secure the release of their loved ones.
Mayiladuthurai MP Sudha Ramakrishnan and Poompuhar MLA Nivedha M. Murugan rushed to the village to console the grieving families. Addressing the community, MP Sudha assured that the matter had already been escalated to the Ministry of External Affairs. She stated, “We have informed the Union Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, about the situation. We will ensure immediate steps are taken for the release of the fishermen. If no action is taken soon, we will organize protests in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission office in Chennai.”
MLA Nivedha Murugan reiterated the MP’s sentiments, adding that the government will not abandon the fishermen during this critical time. “We are with you,” she told the families, “and your demands will be heard at the highest levels of government.”
Meanwhile, local fisheries department officials, including supervisors Deenadayalan and Vasan, launched an inquiry into the incident. They assured the community that they were closely monitoring the situation and were coordinating with the authorities to expedite the release of the fishermen. The officials also stressed that they were committed to ensuring the safety of the detained men.
This arrest is part of an ongoing issue, as Indian fishermen have frequently been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy due to disputes over maritime boundaries and fishing rights. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu often find themselves crossing into Sri Lankan waters in search of better fishing grounds, leading to repeated arrests.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the need for a lasting diplomatic resolution between India and Sri Lanka. Fishermen’s livelihoods are at stake, and both governments must work together to address the ongoing conflict to prevent further arrests and ensure the safety of their citizens.