Tamil Nadu: Due to the arrest of three by the Lankan Navy, fishermen in Ramananthapuram would go on an indefinite strike today.
Tamil Nadu: In protest over the Sri Lankan Navy’s detention of three fishermen from Tamil Nadu and the ongoing seizure of Indian fishing vessels, fishermen in the Ramanathapuram area are planning to go on strike indefinitely starting Monday.
As resentment grows over frequent detentions and what fishermen say is a failure to defend their livelihoods, the Mandapam Fishermen Association called the agitation, which is predicted to disrupt fishing operations across the area.
The most recent occurrence happened on Sunday when the Sri Lankan Navy detained three fishermen on suspicion of breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL): Amostin A (24), Jonedass S (37), and Paraloga Jebastian Anrose A (25).
Together with more than 300 mechanized boats, the three had sailed off from Mandapam North fishing harbor. Joseph of Mandapam’s vessel, registered TN 11 MM 096, was intercepted by Sri Lankan navy troops as they were fishing close to Neduntheevu.
After being questioned in a Sri Lankan Navy camp, the fishermen and their confiscated boat were turned over to the Jaffna Fisheries Department at the Mailady fishing harbor.
The fishing community has reacted strongly to the most recent arrests, particularly after the Sri Lankan Navy captured 12 fishermen from Rameswaram on December 23 in a similar incident.
A one-day strike and a number of demonstrations calling for diplomatic action followed that event.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday to condemn the arrests and to urge the Center to act swiftly and forcefully to ensure the release of the fishermen and their boats who were held.
The Chief Minister said in his letter that the ongoing detention of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan authorities had severely harmed and alarmed coastal communities.
“Our fishermen are still being arrested and having their boats seized on a regular basis. “As of right now, 61 fishermen and 248 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu are still in Sri Lankan custody,” Stalin said, calling for immediate diplomatic action to stop other instances and guarantee the security of Indian fishermen.
Due to the high level of anxiety, fishing communities in the Ramanathapuram district claim they would not return to work unless significant steps are made to secure their fellow fishermen’s release and guarantee the long-term safety of people who rely on the sea for their livelihood.