- Saturday, May 04, 2024
The fishermen, hailing from India’s Tamil Nadu, were apprehended during a special operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and coast guard on July 24.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE Sri Lankan Navy has detained nine Indian fishermen and impounded two trawlers for allegedly engaging in poaching within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, an official statement said on Tuesday (25).
This marks the second such incident this month.
The arrests occurred near Delft Island, Jaffna, and the fishermen, hailing from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, were apprehended during a special operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and coast guard on July 24.
The fishermen, originating from Mandapam in the Ramanathapuram district of the Indian state, set out for fishing on Monday morning but were caught the same night between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu, a fisheries official from Tamil Nadu said.
The seized trawlers, along with the Indian fishermen, were taken to the island-nation’s Kankesanthurai Harbour and are set to undergo further legal proceedings under the supervision of a fisheries inspector, the Sri Lankan Navy said.
To address the issue of illegal fishing, the Sri Lankan Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations within their waters. This matter was also brought up during discussions between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter’s recent visit to New Delhi.
Both leaders acknowledged the need for a humane approach to resolve the livelihood challenges faced by fishermen.
“Today we also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter,” Modi said in a press statement on July 21.
The recurring problem of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters to fish illegally remains a contentious issue in the bilateral relationship between the two maritime neighbours.
Incidents of Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait region and seizing their boats have been reported in the past. The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, serves as a fertile fishing ground for both nations’ fishermen, leading to occasional conflicts.
Despite numerous high-level talks between the two sides, illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen persists.
(With agency inputs)
