Chennai, May 8:
A Sri Lankan court has extended the judicial custody of 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu till May 20, adding to the continuing concerns over repeated arrests of Indian fishermen near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The fishermen, all belonging to Pamban in Ramanathapuram district, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy after allegedly crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
According to fisheries department sources, the fishermen had ventured into the sea from the Southwadi fishing harbour in Pamban on February 24 for routine fishing operations when they were intercepted by Sri Lankan naval personnel.
Following their arrest, the fishermen were taken into custody and later lodged in a prison in Sri Lanka pending legal proceedings.
The 12 fishermen were produced before the Vellikada court on Wednesday through legal procedures, where the judge ordered an extension of their judicial custody until May 20. After the hearing, they were taken back to prison.
The latest development has caused anxiety among the families of the fishermen in Ramanathapuram district, where incidents involving arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy remain a recurring issue for the fishing community.
Fishermen associations in Tamil Nadu have repeatedly urged both the State and Union governments to secure the release of detained fishermen and retrieve seized boats through diplomatic intervention.
The issue of fishermen crossing the IMBL has remained a long-standing dispute between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in the Palk Strait region, where fishermen from both countries operate in close proximity.
Tamil Nadu political parties and fishermen’s unions have often accused the Sri Lankan Navy of adopting a harsh approach towards Indian fishermen, while Sri Lankan authorities maintain that arrests are made to prevent illegal fishing in their territorial waters.
Officials said diplomatic efforts for the release of the detained fishermen are expected to continue through talks between Indian and Sri Lankan authorities.