Rameswaram/Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, seeking the Centre's urgent diplomatic intervention in the arrest of nine Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and the seizure of their mechanised boat by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were purportedly fishing off Katchatheevu.
Highlighting the recurring detentions, CM Vijay requested Jaishankar to take up the matter with the Sri Lankan government to secure the early release of the fishers and their vessel.
According to an official release, the fishermen hailing from Ramanathapuram district were apprehended in the late hours of August 12. This marks the second such incident reported in August alone. As on date, 49 Indian fishermen continue to remain in Sri Lankan custody.
The repeated arrests are causing "anxiety and a deep sense of insecurity among the fishing community, particularly in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu," the chief minister noted in his letter, adding that the Centre's swift intervention would provide much-needed reassurance to the affected families.
Meanwhile, in Rameswaram, the fishing community expressed distress over the arrests and warned of protests if immediate steps were not taken.
Saveriyar Fishermen Association President Sagayam Saveriyar noted that this was the third boat captured by the island nation's navy in the last one and a half months. The seized boat belonged to a local fisherman identified as Wellington.
Out of more than 600 mechanised boats operating from Rameswaram, only over 300 ventured into the sea on August 12 due to persistent fears of the Sri Lankan Navy, local fishermen said.
"The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the boat and arrested nine fishermen. It is distressing that both the Central and State governments are remaining indifferent to this issue," Sagayam told PTI Videos.
Stating that detentions continue unabated regardless of which government is in power, the association leader reminded the current state government of its political assurances to resolve the maritime dispute.
He called on authorities to ensure fishermen are allowed to carry out traditional fishing activities in the Katchatheevu region without harassment, suggesting that a resumption of bilateral talks between fishermen representatives of India and Sri Lanka would be highly beneficial in resolving the ongoing crisis.
