Sri Lankan Navy Detains 26 Indian Fishermen, Seizes Four Boats

Sri Lankan Navy Detains 26 Indian Fishermen, Seizes Four Boats,ll/,ANI

Dil Bar Irshad | July 1, 2024 | 01:56 PM IST | Breaking News, India | Follow on Google News

Sri Lankan Navy Detains 26 Indian Fishermen, Seizes Four Boats

Sri Lankan Navy Detains 26 Indian Fishermen, Seizes Four Boats

Key Highlights:

• 26 Indian fishermen apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy near Palk Bay.
• Protests erupt in Pamban, families demand government intervention.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and External Affairs Minister address the issue.

The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 26 Indian fishermen and seized four boats, according to the Fishermen Association of Pamban. These fishermen had set out from Pamban in the Rameswaram Island area, near the Palk Bay sea area. This move has been condemned by the local fishermen, who, along with their families, protested by blocking roads in Pamban.

This incident follows a similar occurrence last week when the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Neduntheevu in Sri Lankan waters, as reported by the Rameswaram Fisherman Association. During that incident, the Navy also seized three boats belonging to fishermen from Thangachimadam.

In response to these repeated detentions, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin requested the intervention of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to convene the Joint Working Group to prevent further arrests and secure the release of the detained fishermen and their boats. Stalin emphasized that such incidents disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen and create fear and uncertainty within their community.

The families of the detained fishermen have urged both the central and state governments to take swift action to ensure their release. Addressing these concerns, Jaishankar stated that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna are actively working on these cases to secure an early release. He assured Stalin that the welfare and security of Indian fishermen remain a top priority for the government.

Jaishankar also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the NDA government, since coming to office in 2014, to address the livelihood interests of the fishing community, emphasizing a humanitarian approach. He reassured that multiple dimensions, including engaging with the Sri Lankan government, are being pursued to resolve these issues and ensure the safety and welfare of Indian fishermen.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.