Ramanathapuram, Jan 13: Ten fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday while fishing off Neduntheevu (Delft Island), triggering concern among the fishing community in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district. The naval personnel detained the men on charges of allegedly crossing the maritime boundary line into Sri Lankan waters and also seized their mechanised fishing boat, officials said.
The arrested fishermen are currently under Sri Lankan naval custody, where they are being questioned, according to local reports. The incident has once again brought attention to the recurring issue of Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for fishing near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) — a longstanding point of tension in the region.
Fishermen’s associations in Tamil Nadu condemned the arrests, calling for urgent intervention by both the state and central governments to protect the livelihood of coastal communities and ensure the safe return of the detained men. Similar arrests in previous years have led to protests and diplomatic appeals, with fishermen demanding a permanent resolution to the frequent detentions.
This event adds to a series of tensions in the Palk Strait, where Tamil Nadu fishermen frequently face detentions, seizures of boats, and legal issues due to boundary disputes, underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic efforts between India and Sri Lanka to address the matter.