The Sri Lankan Navy detained eight Indian fishermen and seized two boats off the coast of Ramanathapuram on Sunday morning. The fishermen, from Ramanathapuram, have been identified as Mangadu Bhatrappan (55), Reddayurani Kannan (52), Chinna Reddayurani Muthuraj (55), Agasthiyar Kutam Kali (50), Thangachimad Yasin (46), Jesus, Uchipulli Ramakrishnan, and Velu. Subsequently, they were taken to the Kangesanturai Naval Camp for questioning.
Details of the Arrest
On December 7, the fishermen set out from Mandapam to fish in Palk Bay, near Delft Island. Early this morning, the Sri Lankan Navy arrived in the area and accused them of crossing the maritime border. Consequently, the Navy seized two mechanized boats: IND TN 11 MM 81, owned by Karthikaraja from Mandapam, and IND TN 11 MM 231, owned by Yasin from Thangachimadam. The fishermen were then captured and taken to the naval camp for further questioning.
Tamil Nadu Government’s Concern
The Mandapam Fishermen Association has expressed concern over the incident. Consequently, Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar multiple times, urging the government to take swift action. He further emphasized that these detentions, along with the confiscation of boats, cause major distress in coastal communities, resulting in uncertainty and anxiety.
Government’s Response
In response, Jaishankar assured Stalin that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna are actively working to secure the fishermen’s release. Once the investigation is complete, the fishermen and their boats will be handed over to the Jaffna Fisheries Department for further proceedings.