Tamil Nadu fishermen continue to face severe losses amounting to crores of rupees due to the actions of the Sri Lankan Navy, who not only seize their fishing boats but also subject them to torture after imprisoning them.From Rameswaram to Nagapattinam, over 4,000 mechanized and traditional fishing boats operate in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian maritime boundary off the coast of Tamil Nadu, from Rameswaram to Pudukottai, stretches between 25 and 40 kilometers. Due to the limited fishing zone, fishermen sometimes inadvertently cross the boundary while searching for a good catch.
As a result, the Sri Lankan Navy frequently attacks Tamil Nadu fishermen, ramming their boats with naval ships and sinking them. Fishermen are often arrested and subjected to brutal torture while imprisoned in Sri Lanka.
Between 1984 and 2009, when the Sri Lankan civil war between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was raging, the LTTE had a strong naval presence in the Palk Strait. This enabled Tamil Nadu fishermen to fish without fear. During this period, fishing activities flourished, contributing to the livelihoods of the fishermen. However, following the death of LTTE leaders in 2009, the Sri Lankan Navy shifted its focus to Tamil Nadu fishermen, resulting in a surge of attacks.
Since 2009, the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested over 3,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized around 400 boats. Specifically, after 2015, over 2,000 fishermen and 300 boats have been taken into custody by the Sri Lankan authorities. The ongoing harassment and arrests have had a devastating impact on the fishing community, both economically and emotionally, leaving them in a constant state of fear and uncertainty.