Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged the Union government to take immediate and effective diplomatic steps to secure the release of fishermen from the State who are currently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, citing growing distress among coastal communities.
In a letter addressed to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Chief Minister referred to the latest incident involving the arrest of seven fishermen from Mayiladuthurai district, who were apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday while engaged in fishing activities. Their mechanised fishing boat was also seized, adding to the mounting losses faced by them.
Stalin pointed out that a significant number of Tamil Nadu fishermen and fishing vessels continue to remain in Sri Lankan custody, despite repeated representations made by the State government. He noted that such arrests have become frequent in recent months, creating economic hardship, psychological stress and uncertainty for the families dependent on fishing for their livelihood.
“The continued detention of fishermen and impounding of boats have severely impacted the day-to-day lives of the coastal population,” the Chief Minister said, stressing that many families are pushed into debt as fishing boats are their only source of income.
Highlighting the fragile socio-economic condition of traditional fishing communities, Stalin said repeated arrests disrupt fishing operations for long periods, leaving families without income. He also noted that fishermen often stray close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) due to sea currents and the absence of clear physical markers in the sea.
The Chief Minister reiterated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing demand that fishermen issues be treated as a humanitarian concern, rather than a criminal offence.
Stalin urged the Centre to raise the matter urgently with the Sri Lankan government and ensure the early release of all detained fishermen and their boats, without delay. He also sought sustained diplomatic engagement to evolve a permanent solution to prevent recurring incidents.
The issue of fishermen arrests has remained a sensitive and recurring problem in India-Sri Lanka relations, particularly affecting fishermen from Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai and Thoothukudi districts.
The Chief Minister’s appeal comes amid mounting pressure from fishermen associations and political parties, who have been demanding swift action from the Centre to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s fishing community.