In his letter, Stalin revealed that in the past year alone, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 243 fishermen and seized 37 boats.
Published Feb 09, 2024 | 11:35 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 09, 2024 | 11:36 PM
MK Stalin's letter to Prime Minister Modi. (X)
In a crucial move to address the escalating concerns over the apprehension of Tamil fishermen and their boats by Sri Lankan authorities, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has issued an urgent plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter to the prime minister, Stalin highlighted the severe impact of such actions on the livelihoods of Tamil fishermen.
He stated, “There’s been a significant and concerning rise in the apprehension of Tamil fishermen and their boats by Sri Lankan authorities, which severely impacts their livelihoods.”
Stalin underscored the gravity of the situation, revealing that the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 243 fishermen and seized 37 boats in the past year alone.
He emphasised that these incidents not only threatened the economic stability of the fishing communities but also endangered the cultural and social fabric of the region, as “traditional fishing waters, which have been relied upon for generations, are becoming increasingly restricted”.
The chief minister raised the alarm on the escalating violence faced by Tamil fishermen, stating, “The situation is further aggravated by increasing instances of attacks on Tamil fishermen and damages to their boats and equipment by unidentified persons, endangering lives and exacerbating economic hardships.”
Stalin also pointed to the 2018 amendment to the Fisheries Act by the Government of Sri Lanka, allowing for the nationalisation of foreign fishing vessels. He highlighted that this amendment prevents the return of seized boats of Indian fishermen, causing significant financial distress without compensation.
In his letter, Stalin urgently requested the Prime Minister’s attention to address the issue diplomatically, ensuring the safety and well-being of Tamil fishermen. He urged for “swift and decisive action to revive the Joint Working Group set up for this purpose.”
Additionally, he called for immediate efforts to secure the release of 77 fishermen and their 151 boats from Sri Lanka.
Stalin’s letter did not solely focus on Sri Lanka, as he appealed for diplomatic efforts to secure the release of fishermen incarcerated by the Pakistani authorities and the four fishermen detained by the Kuwait Coastal Police.
Urging Hon'ble PM Thiru. @narendramodi to address the urgent issue of Tamil fishermen's apprehension by Sri Lankan authorities. Recent weeks saw 88 fishermen & 12 boats seized. The nationalisation of seized boats by Sri Lankan Government exacerbates their plight. We need… pic.twitter.com/F5bDBvPE3S
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 9, 2024
The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.
The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
There have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
On 7 February 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 19 Indian fishermen and two trawlers for illegally fishing in the island nation’s waters near Delft Island in northern Jaffna province. Just days prior to this, it arrested 23 Indian fishermen and seized two trawlers.
In January, as many as 36 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lanka.
In 2023, the island nation’s Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
On 6 December, 2023, at least 21 Indian fishermen were arrested with their four trawlers seized in the northeastern waters off Mannar and Kovilan.
On 29 October, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 37 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and confiscated five of their fishing trawlers. Before that, on 14 October, 27 fishermen were arrested in two separate instances and the seizure of four boats.
